Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13632

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Varenicline for smoking cessation
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2008 May; 46:(5):33-36
http://dtb.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/46/5/33

Abstract:

Varenicline (pronounced va-re-nik-leen) (Champix – Pfizer), a nicotinic receptor partial agonist, is the first medicine of this type licensed for smoking cessation in adults. Launched in the UK in December 2006, the drug accounted for 14% of all prescription items and 22% of total expenditure, for smoking cessation products dispensed in the community in 2007*.1–4 Marketing materials claim that it has a “unique dual action”, a “significantly higher quit rate” than bupropion, and a “favourable safety and tolerability profile”. Here we discuss the evidence for varenicline and consider its role in smoking cessation.