title: Varenicline plus healthy lifestyle intervention for smoking cessation in psychotic disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We were interested in exploring the efficacy and safety of varenicline as an adjunct to a healthy lifestyle intervention for smoking cessation among individuals with a severe mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used varenicline as an adjunct to a healthy lifestyle intervention in 14 smokers with a psychotic illness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, smoking cessation rates were 36% at 3 months and 42% at 6 months. The most commonly reported side effects were sleep disturbance and nausea. These tended to occur early in treatment, and patients responded to general measures of support and reassurance. Of the 14 participants, 1 dropped out because of psychiatric problems and 2 because of other side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Varenicline appears to be an effective adjunct to a healthy lifestyle intervention for smokers with a psychotic illness. Although the results of this open study are encouraging, replication in an adequately powered, randomized controlled trial is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent's Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. david.castle@svhm.org.au
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Castle
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Sacha L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Filia
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pirola-Merlo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline