title: Varenicline (CHANTIX): a stop-smoking pill.
abstract: Varenicline (Chantix; Pfizer Labs, New York, NY) is a new kind of stop-smoking pill. The drug decreases both the craving for nicotine and the withdrawal symptoms from stopping the use of nicotine. The drug works by binding to nicotine receptors, or "targets" for nicotine, in the brain. Once bound to the nicotine receptors, it acts like a weak form of nicotine, while preventing real nicotine from binding to these receptors. Varenicline greatly weakens nicotine's chemical reactions in the brain that cause pleasure, and which in turn, reinforce the habit. Otolaryngology patients who are advised to take varenicline can benefit from the information in this educational tool.
mesh_terms: D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline