Treatment with varenicline should be initiated while the person is still smoking. Approximately one week triation is required to achieve steady blood levels.
Dosing should begin at 0.5 mg, taken orally once daily, for the first 3 days.
Dose is increased to 0.5 mg, twice daily, during days 4 - 7.
Starting day 8 and continuing to the end of treatment, dosage is 1 mg twice daily.
If side effects are troubling, the dose may be decreased to .5 mg, twice daily.
An interval of at least 6 hours between successive doses is advised.
The quit attempt should occur on or about the eighth day of treatment.
If lapses occur, continue current dose as well as efforts to quit smoking.
