Varenicline and Its Safety Profile in Smoking Cessation
Overview of Varenicline
Varenicline is a prescription medication designed to assist adults in quitting smoking.
Recent Study Findings
A recent study published in The Lancet by Kotz and colleagues examined whether varenicline increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and neuropsychiatric issues, such as depression. The study analyzed the medical histories of approximately 1.6 million adult patients who utilized varenicline between January 2007 and June 2012 for smoking cessation.
Study Comparisons
In this research, patients using varenicline were compared to those taking bupropion, an antidepressant commonly known as Wellbutrin, which also alleviates nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, a comparison was made between patients receiving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and those taking varenicline.
Key Findings
The researchers found no significant evidence that the use of varenicline was linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, such as heart problems or heart attacks, or episodes of depression, including self-harm and suicide, when compared to NRT. The study concluded that varenicline does not appear to be associated with the cardiovascular or neuropsychiatric side effects that were previously suspected.
Reference
Kotz, D., Viechtbauer, W., Simpson, C., van Schayck, O. C. P., West, R., Sheikh, A. (2015). “Cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric risks of varenicline: a retrospective cohort study.” The Lancet, Volume 3, No. 10, p761–768, October 2015.
Author Information
Written by Jennifer J. Park, MA