title: Varenicline for smoking cessation.
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. 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.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline