How to get rid of Chantix-induced headaches?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
How to get rid of Chantix-induced headaches?
There are a few things you can try to get rid of Chantix headaches. These include:
- Try OTC painkillers
- Try massaging your forehead
- Avoid your headache triggers
- Give your body some time to adjust
- Avoid the use of alcohol
- Do not take nicotine with Chantix
Try OTC painkillers
OTC painkillers can help control your Chantix-induced headaches. These meds are usually enough to deal with the intensity of your headaches.
Commonly used OTC painkillers are Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (1). Try taking these meds when you feel your headache getting worse. Make sure to check with your doctor if these meds fail to control your headaches.
Try massaging your forehead
Massaging your forehead using oil can help you relax and promote blood flow. You can also use OTC pain relieving balms to massage your forehead which provides local absorption of the medication.
Other than that, there are some essential oils with pain-relieving and relaxing properties, including (2,3):
- Peppermint oil
- Rosemary oil
- Lavender oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Chamomile oil
Avoid your headache triggers
It’s best to avoid things that trigger your headaches, like using smart gadgets, exposure to sharp lights and sounds, too much exertion, etc.
These things can trigger headaches or make your existing headaches much worse. Just rest your eyes and relax when Chantix starts causing headaches. It’s best to dim the lights and avoid sharp sounds.
Give your body some time to adjust
Chantix is known for causing headaches, especially during the early course of your treatment. However, it does start to get better when your body starts to adjust to the medication.
So, give your body some time to relax and don’t give up hope. The headaches will surely resolve within a few days.
Avoid the use of alcohol
Avoid using alcohol while you’re being treated with Chantix. Drinking alcohol can significantly affect your health and will make your Chantix-induced headaches much worse.
Do not take nicotine with Chantix
Chantix is frequently used for smoking cessation. Some people take nicotine gums or patches to help deal with withdrawal symptoms.
However, taking nicotine with Chantix can increase the frequency of your headaches. This is why you should avoid using nicotine for a while, at least for 12 weeks – which is the usual duration of action with this medication.
Why does Chantix cause headaches?
There is no exact explanation as to why Chantix causes headaches, but it is believed to be related to the medication’s effects on the brain. Chantix works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain, which reduces the pleasurable effects of smoking (4).
It can also help reduce unusual cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation.
However, this nicotine receptor blockade may also have an impact on the brain’s other neurotransmitters, including those that control and perceive pain. As a result, using Chantix may cause headaches as a side effect.
It is best to closely monitor your side effects while taking Chantix and report them to your healthcare provider for better management of your symptoms.
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References
1.-
Prior MJ, Codispoti JR, Fu M. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of acetaminophen for the treatment of migraine headache. Headache. 2010 May;50(5):819-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01638.x. Epub 2010 Mar 5. PMID: 20236342. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20236342/
2.-
Göbel H, Schmidt G, Dworschak M, Stolze H, Heuss D. Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Phytomedicine. 1995 Oct;2(2):93-102. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80053-X. PMID: 23196150. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23196150/
3.-
Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-91. doi: 10.1159/000335249. Epub 2012 Apr 17. PMID: 22517298. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517298/
4.-
Singh D, Saadabadi A. Varenicline. 2022 Dec 14. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30521267. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534846/