Is weight gain a side effect of Chantix?
Ask the doctor
Q. I started taking Chantix two months ago. I'm worried about gaining weight. Is that one of the side effects?
A. People who quit smoking almost always gain a little weight. The average weight gain is 6 to 8 pounds.
Whether you use Chantix (varenicline), Zyban (bupropion), or quit cold turkey, weight gain is about the same. So the Chantix is unlikely to add to the pounds you may be putting on.
Chantix causes a slow, steady release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. This acts on the nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce both the craving for nicotine and the nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
One possible side effect of Chantix is depressed mood. Depression can affect appetite and desire for food -– in either direction.
With nicotine replacement using patches, gum, or lozenges, the weight gain may be less pronounced at first. Nicotine raises metabolism, no matter what route it enters your body. But as a person weans off the nicotine replacement, weight will rise just as much as if you quit by other means.
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About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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