Smoking Cessation Medications
You want to quit smoking… but are you struggling to stop?
Even when people recognize smoking as a high-risk behavior, many find themselves dependent on the “nicotine” contained in tobacco and unable to quit on their own.
In addition, because the preparation “Champix” used in smoking cessation treatment was discontinued, the number of clinics able to provide smoking cessation treatment is currently very limited.
We offer two types of smoking cessation treatment, and you can consult us about smoking cessation treatment at any time.
We provide smoking cessation treatment as self-pay care in principle.
For those living far away, we offer telephone consultations and a delivery service.
Dangers of Smoking
Smoking is known to cause many conditions, including high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction and various cancers such as lung cancer.
In recent years, it has become clear that smoking raises the risk of dementia by 2 to 3 times, and that it is linked to both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, which are common among Japanese people.
Smokers are also known to have a higher risk of stroke and bone fractures, making them more likely to require nursing care in the future.
At the same time, it is also known that quitting the smoking habit is extremely difficult.
The substance “nicotine” contained in tobacco binds to nicotine receptors in the brain and releases large amounts of dopamine, producing a temporary sense of euphoria. However, once the nicotine in the body runs out, withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and restlessness appear.
To relieve these withdrawal symptoms, the person smokes again to feel calm, resulting in nicotine dependence and continued smoking.
Benefits of Smoking Cessation Treatment
Undergoing smoking cessation treatment has the following 3 major benefits.
You can lower the risk of various conditions caused by smoking (such as cancer and lifestyle-related diseases) as well as dementia.
Smoking cessation treatment is known to have a success rate of approximately 65% when continued for the treatment period determined for each medication (we recommend treatment with Varenismart, the generic of Champix).
For someone who smokes 1 pack a day, at 550 yen per pack, that amounts to about two hundred thousand yen spent per year.
For example, if you can stay smoke-free for 5 years, you can save one million yen.
We can start smoking cessation treatment for around 450 yen per day.
We also offer affordable 2-week and 4-week sets.
Types of Smoking Cessation Treatment
We can provide 2 types of smoking cessation treatment.
We recommend Varenismart, which has better treatment outcomes.
With Varenismart, it is known that if you successfully quit smoking in 12 weeks, continuing the medication for a further 12 weeks increases the rate of remaining smoke-free thereafter.
| Medication name | Champix generic (Varenismart) | Nicotinell TTS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Non-nicotine medication (oral) | Nicotine medication (patch) |
| Mechanism | Acts on nicotine receptors to suppress withdrawal symptoms and prevent satisfaction from smoking | Slowly absorbs nicotine through the skin to temporarily ease withdrawal symptoms |
| Treatment success rate | Approx. 65% | Approx. 53% |
| Treatment period | 12–24 weeks | 8 weeks |
| How to use | Days 1–3: 0.5mg, 1 tablet daily Days 4–7: 0.5mg, 2 tablets daily Day 8–final day: 1mg, 2 tablets daily | Weeks 1–4: apply 30mg once daily Weeks 5–6: apply 20mg once daily Weeks 7–8: apply 10mg once daily |
| Side effects | Mild nausea and drowsiness | Insomnia and contact dermatitis |
Prices
The cost and features of each treatment are shown in the table.
We provide smoking cessation treatment as self-pay care.
A consultation fee applies for the first visit, but from the second time onward, medication can be prescribed without a consultation (and no consultation fee is required).
| Medication name | Prescription contents | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|
| Champix generic (Varenismart) | Premium set (24 weeks) | 77,000 yen |
| Basic set (12 weeks) | 40,000 yen | |
| First-time set* (4 weeks) | 15,000 yen | |
| Continuation set* (8 weeks) | 28,000 yen | |
| Nicotinell TTS | Basic set (8 weeks) | 35,000 yen |
| First-time set* (2 weeks) | 10,000 yen | |
| Continuation set* (6 weeks) | 28,000 yen |
*The “first-time set” is a product that lets you purchase a small quantity while checking for side effects. When continuing treatment, please choose the “continuation set.”
Insurance-Covered Smoking Cessation Treatment
Treatment using Nicotinell TTS may be eligible for insurance coverage only for those who meet the required conditions.
Insurance-covered smoking cessation treatment comes with various restrictions as described below, so please discuss eligibility directly with a doctor.
Varenismart is not eligible for insurance coverage.
Only those who meet all of the following are eligible for the smoking cessation clinic using Nicotinell TTS.
– Have not received insurance-covered smoking cessation treatment in the past 1 year
– Score of 5 points or more on the nicotine dependence test
– Number of cigarettes smoked per day × years of smoking = 200 or more (only for those aged 35 and over)
– Are determined to quit smoking immediately
– Have given written consent to undergo all 5 sessions (12 weeks) of smoking cessation treatment
| Self-pay smoking cessation treatment | Insurance-covered smoking cessation treatment |
|
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | First visit only | All 5 visits 12 weeks of visits required |
| Cost | From 10,000 yen (tax included) | Approx. 13,000 yen* (tax included, thirty-percent co-payment) |
| Medication | Varenismart Nicotinell TTS | Nicotinell TTS only |
| Prescribed medication | Dispensed in-clinic (can be completed in 1 visit) | Collected at a pharmacy (prescribed at each visit) |
| Conditions | No particular restrictions | Various restrictions (see above) |
*This includes payment at the dispensing pharmacy.
Consultation Process
The consultation process for a smoking cessation medication prescription at our clinic is as follows.
For Self-Pay Care
Medical Interview and Consultation with a Doctor
We will consider a suitable medication in consultation with the doctor.
Prescription and Payment
We will hand over the smoking cessation medication at the reception desk. A consultation fee applies for the first visit, but from the second time onward, medication can be prescribed without a consultation (and no consultation fee is required).
For Insurance-Covered Care
This applies only to those who can complete the entire schedule below.
Medical Interview and Consultation with a Doctor
The doctor will review your treatment history so far and conduct a medical interview. The doctor will determine whether you are eligible for insurance coverage.
Prescription and Payment
At the first visit, the doctor and the patient discuss and decide the date to start quitting smoking.
2 Weeks After the Quit Date
You will have a consultation with the doctor and continue smoking cessation treatment.
4 Weeks After the Quit Date
You will have a consultation with the doctor and continue smoking cessation treatment.
8 Weeks After the Quit Date
You will have a consultation with the doctor. There is no prescription from week 8 onward, but a consultation is always required when smoking cessation treatment is covered by insurance.
12 Weeks After the Quit Date
You will have a consultation with the doctor, who will determine whether you have successfully quit smoking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Varenismart (the Champix generic) be prescribed under insurance coverage?
Varenismart is an overseas-made generic medication and is not eligible for insurance coverage. Champix, the domestic original product, has been discontinued and cannot currently be prescribed, which is why we have introduced the generic medication.
Why has Champix been discontinued in Japan?
Pfizer's varenicline (Champix) is no longer prescribed in Japan due to the manufacturer's shipping restrictions. Shipments were halted because "N-nitrosovarenicline" was detected above the standard value, but the generic medication we prescribe, Varenismart, has been confirmed to be safe, so please rest assured.
I have continued Varenismart for 12 weeks, but I am worried about whether I can stay smoke-free from now on. Can I continue treatment?
With Varenismart, it is known that if you successfully quit smoking in 12 weeks, continuing the medication for a further 12 weeks increases the rate of remaining smoke-free thereafter. We recommend 24 weeks of treatment.
We also provide testing and treatment for STIs, vaccine administration of various types (including for those traveling overseas) and consultations regarding gender. Please see the page below for details.