Cyventine FAQs

Cyventine is a nicotine-free way to help you quit smoking in 25 days. The active ingredient, cytisine, is clinically proven to help people quit.² Cytisine acts on the same receptors as nicotine. It helps people stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms and helping the body gradually become less dependent on nicotine.^1-4

Cytisine acts on the same receptors as nicotine. It helps people stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms and helping the body gradually become less dependent on nicotine.^1-4

One pack of Cyventine (100 tablets) is the complete 25-day quitting course. For more information, see our ‘Dosing Explained’ video and / or download the Cyventine App (if you haven’t already) to help with dosing scheduling.

Cyventine tablets are taken orally with water according to the following schedule:^1,10

On day 26, your Cyventine course is complete and you no longer need to take any more tablets.

The short answer is no. You must stop smoking on or by Day 5 of using Cyventine. If you are unable to do so, please speak with a doctor or pharmacist, as you increase the risk of experiencing a nicotine-related side effect.¹

It is recommended to stop smoking all together by the fifth day of taking Cyventine as if you continue to smoke you are more likely to experience nicotine-related side effects.¹ If you are unable to stop smoking by Day 5, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

No, as if you use Nicotine Replacement Therapy while taking Cyventine you increase the risk of experiencing nicotine-related side effects.¹

If you need to take a second course of Cyventine, it is recommended to wait 2-3 months before restarting.¹

Cyventine is a 25-day quitting course. So on day 26, there is no need to continue taking Cyventine tablets and you can enjoy being an ex-smoker.¹

As the urge to smoke can sometimes return especially when you face situations when you previously smoked, you should also consider getting tips on how to break these habits and remain an ex-smoker from the ICanQuit, the Quitline or using the My QuitBuddy App.

If you are taking other medicines, you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist before starting Cyventine.¹⁰

You should not take Cyventine with anti-tuberculosis drugs.^1,10

All the studies that have investigated the active ingredient in Cyventine have been carried out in people aged less than 65 years. As there is no evidence in people older than 65, Cyventine is not recommended for use by these people.

It is not known whether Cyventine affects the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. As an extra precaution, using a second barrier method e.g. condoms, is recommended.¹

Cyventine is available at all pharmacies, but it is generally held in the dispensary so you will need to ask the pharmacist to purchase Cyventine.

Currently, Cyventine does not have Halal Certification.

No, Cyventine contains an ingredient of animal origin.

No, the product contains gluten.

Yes, this product is lactose free.

No, Cyventine is not Kosher.

The active ingredient in Cyventine has been assessed in multiple clinical trials.^1,2 These trials have confirmed that it is more effective than quitting unassisted (cold turkey or placebo).^2,5 It has also been shown to be more effective than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (such as patches, lozenge or gum)*.^2,6 Due to this compelling evidence, it has been included in the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.⁷

* Compared to Nicotine Replacement Therapy monotherapy (8-week course).

The Cyventine carton and pack insert can be recycled. The tablet blister pack can be recycled at any pharmacy that participates in the medicine blister pack Pharmacycle scheme.

If you miss a dose do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Take your next dose as per the recommended dosing schedule.¹⁰

If you think that you have used too much Cyventine, you may need medical attention. You should immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or contact your doctor or pharmacist, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.¹⁰

All medicines can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects include nausea, changes in appetite, weight gain, irritability, mood changes, anxiety and high blood pressure. Some of these effects could also be the result of stopping smoking (withdrawal symptoms), not treatment with Cyventine. These side effects are more likely to occur when starting the tablets and tend to go away in time.¹⁰

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are the way your body reacts when it stops getting nicotine from tobacco smoke. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Urges or cravings to smoke
• Finding it harder to concentrate or feeling restless
• Trouble sleeping
• Being easily upset, feeling irritable, frustrated, angry
• Being anxious or feeling down
• Increase in hunger

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are the cravings and other symptoms such as irritability you may feel when your body stops getting nicotine from tobacco smoke. As the days pass, cravings will occur less often, and they will grow weaker until you’re not thinking about smoking anymore. Most nicotine leaves your bloodstream within a day but feelings of nicotine withdrawal typically last two to four weeks (and sometimes longer) as your body adjusts to being free of nicotine.¹²

Cravings are expected when quitting. They can feel intense, but they are short lived, usually only lasting a few minutes. One way to get through the cravings is to distract yourself, think about what you enjoy, or leave the situation that triggered the craving by going for a short walk. Using a smoking cessation therapy like Cyventine can make quitting smoking more manageable by reducing cravings.¹

Keeping yourself busy can help overcome the triggers of smoking and beat the cravings. A great way to do this is by replacing the hand-to-mouth action with other behaviours. Consider taking a drink of water, or sucking on a mint or chewing gum, playing a game on your phone, or holding a pen in your cigarette hand.

The good news is as the days pass, cravings for cigarettes will occur less often, and they will grow weaker.¹²

The good news is not everybody gains weight when they quit smoking. Even better, the health benefits of quitting smoking are greater even if you put on a little weight.

People can put on weight as nicotine slightly speeds up your metabolism. After quitting your metabolism may return to your normal rate which may lead to some weight gain. Also one of the nicotine withdrawal symptoms is feeling hungrier than normal. These feeling tend to be stronger in the first weeks of quitting and will decrease over time.¹²