Reduced affective symptoms during tobacco dependence treatment with varenicline.
BACKGROUND
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist varenicline has been shown to be effective in the treatment of tobacco dependence, but has been reported to induce exacerbations of psychiatric symptoms in subjects with pre-existing psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
We report a tobacco-dependent patient who developed depression and suicidal tendencies during several cessation attempts, but was finally able to stay nicotine-abstinent by taking varenicline.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case varenicline did not lead to exacerbation but appeared to improve the affective symptoms.
Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
Martin
M
Grosshans
Jochen
J
Mutschler
Derik
D
Hermann
Karl
K
Mann
Alexander
A
Diehl
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000628:therapy*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline
D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D000068580:Varenicline