THURSDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Varenicline tartrate (Chantix) can help smokers kick the habit, according to two studies in the Aug. 14/28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved varenicline in May 2006.
Mitchell Nides, Ph.D., of Los Angeles Clinical Trials in California, and colleagues conducted a seven-week, randomized trial in otherwise healthy smokers aged 18 to 65. Four-week continuous quit rates were 48 percent for smokers who took 1 milligram twice daily of varenicline; 37.3 percent for 1 mg daily of varenicline; 33.3 percent for bupropion hydrochloride; and 17.1 percent for placebo. Long-term quit rates from four weeks to one year were 14.4 percent for the group that received 1 mg twice daily of varenicline versus 4.9 percent for placebo.
In a second study by the same researchers, continuous quit rates were higher in smokers who took 1.0 mg or 0.5 mg of varenicline twice daily compared with those who took a placebo for weeks nine through 12. Quit rates remained significantly higher for the varenicline group than placebo at one year. Nausea was the main side effect, but it was reduced when doses were titrated.
"Varenicline is a novel medication to aid in smoking cessation," Bankole A. Johnson, D.Sc., M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, writes in an accompanying editorial.
Pfizer sponsored and funded both studies.
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Editorial
