Varenicline Effective for Smoking Cessation

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Three new studies reveal the drug varenicline is effective in helping smokers kick the habit and stay smoke-free.

Varenicline is a non-nicotine drug and is thought to help smokers quit by stimulating the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. This reduces craving and withdrawal as it also blocks the reinforcing effects of smoked nicotine. Most other drugs for smoking cessation are nicotine-replacement products.

In one study, researchers compared the effectiveness of varenicline to a placebo. Participants were monitored for 52 weeks after the start of the study.

Results reveal the continuous abstinence rate was much higher for the varenicline group than for the placebo group for weeks 13 to 24 (70.5 percent vs. 49.6 percent) and for weeks 13 to 52 (43.6 percent vs. 36.9 percent).

When compared to a placebo and the smoking-cessation drug bupropion SR, researchers found the four-week continuous abstinence rate for weeks nine through 12 were also significant for varenicline (44 percent) vs. placebo (17.7 percent) vs. bupropion SR (29.5 percent). During weeks nine through 52 it was 21.9 percent for varenicline, 8.4 percent for placebo, and 16.1 percent for bupropion SR.

"At the end of the treatment period, the odds of quitting smoking with varenicline were significantly greater than the odds of quitting with either placebo or bupropion SR," the authors write. "Extended use of varenicline helps recent ex-smokers to maintain their abstinence and prevent relapse. Varenicline is the first smoking cessation treatment to demonstrate a significant long-term relapse prevention effect."

Pfizer Inc., sponsored the research and provided funding, study drug, placebo and monitoring.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006; 296:47-55, 56-63, 64-71