Impact of symptoms experienced by varenicline users on tobacco treatment in a real world setting.
This article examines reported symptoms, nonsmoking rates, and medication use among 1,018 smokers using varenicline in a randomized trial comparing three forms of behavioral support for smoking cessation (phone, Web, or phone + Web). One month after beginning varenicline, 168 people (17%) had discontinued the medication. Most (53%) quit due to side effects and other symptoms. The most common side effect among all users was nausea (reported by 57% of users). At 1 month post medication initiation, those not taking varenicline were more likely to report smoking than those who continued the medication (57% vs. 16%, p < .001). Women reported more symptoms but did not discontinue medication at higher rates. Participants who received any telephone counseling (n = 681) were less likely to discontinue their medication than those with Web support only (15% vs. 21%, p < .01). Counseling may improve tolerance of this medication and reduce the rate of discontinuation due to side effects.
Halperin
Abigail C
AC
University of Washington, Seattle, 1107 NE 45th Street, Suite 345, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. abigail@u.washington.edu
McAfee
Timothy A
TA
Jack
Lisa M
LM
Catz
Sheryl L
SL
McClure
Jennifer B
JB
Deprey
T Mona
TM
Richards
Julie
J
Zbikowski
Susan M
SM
Swan
Gary E
GE
D000328:Adult; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects; D012008:Recurrence; D012737:Sex Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013689:Telephone; D000068580:Varenicline
D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C403531:nicotinic receptor alpha4beta2; D000068580:Varenicline