Chantix (Varenicline Tartrate) - Summary

CHANTIX SUMMARY

CHANTIX™ (varenicline) Tablets

CHANTIX™ tablets contain the active ingredient, varenicline (as the tartrate salt), which is a partial agonist selective for α₄β₂ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. Varenicline, as the tartrate salt, is a powder which is a white to off-white to slightly yellow solid with the following chemical name: 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,10-methano-6 H -pyrazino[2,3-h][3]benzazepine, (2 R,3 R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1:1). It is highly soluble in water.

CHAMPIX is indicated as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.

See all indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Chantix (Varenicline)

Study: Chantix Has Little or No Suicide Risk
Source: MedicineNet Clinical Trials Specialty [2009.10.02]
Title: Study: Chantix Has Little or No Suicide Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 10/2/2009 10:56:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/2/2009 10:56:57 AM

Smoking Cessation Program Offers Childhood Cancer Survivors Help To Quit The Habit
Source: Smoking / Quit Smoking News From Medical News Today [2009.11.17]
As smokers nationwide struggle to quit the habit, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is offering assistance to those childhood cancer survivors who need help with smoking cessation. Despite the known health risks of tobacco use, about 18 percent of adults who survived childhood cancer are smokers-an average almost equal to that of the general population.

American Lung Association Urges Full Coverage Of Clinically Proven Smoking Cessation Treatments
Source: Respiratory / Asthma News From Medical News Today [2009.11.11]
As the debate over health care reform dominates the media and political arena, a new American Lung Association report finds that states aren't doing enough to help smokers quit - and policymakers must fix this in the health care reform process.

Medicaid Smoking Cessation Access on the Rise
Source: MedPage Today Psychiatry [2009.11.06]
Patients in 84% of the nation's Medicaid programs have access to tobacco-dependence treatment, but the availability and extent of coverage varied significantly, researchers found.

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Published Studies Related to Chantix (Varenicline)

Varenicline reduces alcohol self-administration in heavy-drinking smokers. [2009.07.15]
BACKGROUND: Alcohol and tobacco dependence are highly comorbid disorders, with preclinical evidence suggesting a role for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in alcohol consumption. Varenicline, a partial nicotinic agonist with high affinity for the alpha4beta2 nAChR receptor, reduced ethanol intake in rodents. We aimed to test whether varenicline would reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol craving in humans... CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary investigation demonstrated that varenicline significantly reduced alcohol self-administration and was well tolerated, alone and in combination with alcohol in heavy-drinking smokers. Varenicline should be investigated as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorders.

Impact of symptoms experienced by varenicline users on tobacco treatment in a real world setting. [2009.06]
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)...

Varenicline for smoking cessation: a placebo-controlled, randomized study. [2009.04]
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Varenicline tartrate, a novel, selective, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, has been developed specifically as a smoking cessation drug. This study evaluated the efficacy of a standard regimen of varenicline compared with placebo for smoking cessation in 333 subjects in China, Singapore and Thailand... CONCLUSION: Varenicline was significantly more efficacious for smoking cessation than placebo over a 12-week treatment period and a further 12-week non-treatment follow-up period in smokers from China, Singapore and Thailand. No significant side-effects were noted.

Varenicline for smoking cessation: A placebo-controlled, randomized study. [2009.01.23]
Background and objective: Varenicline tartrate, a novel, selective, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, has been developed specifically as a smoking cessation drug. This study evaluated the efficacy of a standard regimen of varenicline compared with placebo for smoking cessation in 333 subjects in China, Singapore and Thailand...

Varenicline improves mood and cognition during smoking abstinence. [2009.01.15]
BACKGROUND: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a key target in medication development for various neuropsychiatric disorders, including nicotine dependence. Varenicline, a partial agonist at the alpha4beta2 nAChRs, is a new, efficacious medication for nicotine dependence. Its effects on the affective and cognitive dimensions of nicotine withdrawal have yet to be well characterized... CONCLUSIONS: These data identify novel affective and cognitive effects of varenicline and may have implications for medication development for other neuropsychiatric conditions.

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Clinical Trials Related to Chantix (Varenicline)

Study of Mood Effects of Varenicline (Chantix) in Depressed Outpatient Smokers [Recruiting]
This study will assess whether varenicline (chantix) has antidepressant properties when used in addition to other psychiatric medication. It will also assess whether varenicline improves the inability to feel pleasure (i. e. anhedonia), and if it is well-tolerated when used with psychiatric medications.

Enrolled patients will be assessed for improved mood, improved anhedonia, overall sense of health, side effects as well as tobacco use for 6-8 weeks.

Medication will be provided free of charge.

Mood and Anti-Craving Effects of Varenicline in Psychiatric Inpatients [Not yet recruiting]
This study of psychiatric inpatients will assess mood effects of varenicline, as well as assess if varenicline decreased nicotine cravings acutely.

This study will also measure side effects of varenicline when given in addition to other psychiatric and non-psychiatric medications.

Chantix in Adult Smokers With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [Recruiting]
The purpose of this research study is to learn about the efficacy of a medication called varenicline (Chantix) in treating ADHD in adults and in reducing cigarette smoking in adults with ADHD. The investigators hypothesize that ADHD symptomatology in adults with ADHD will be improved with varenicline treatment. The investigators also hypothesize that varenicline treatment will result in significant reductions in cigarette smoking. Another objective of this study is to more fully evaluate the response and tolerability to varenicline in this group of cigarette smoking adults with ADHD.

Does Varenicline Influence Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol Dependent Individuals? [Recruiting]
The aim of the present clinical trial is to investigate whether 14 weeks of treatment with a prescription medication for smoking cessation, Champix (R)/Chantix (R) (varenicline), can reduce alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent individuals.

Varenicline and Bupropion for Smoking Cessation [Recruiting]
This study provides an opportunity to combine varenicline and bupropion SR and capitalize on the potential additive benefit. The investigators hypothesize that this will further increase long-term (≥ 6 months) smoking abstinence rates.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Chantix review by 51 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		SMOKING CESSATION
Dosage & duration:		1 MILLIGRAM (dosage frequency: twice a day) for the period of 4 MONTHS
Other conditions:		NONE
Other drugs taken:		NONE
		Reported Results
Benefits:		ALLOWED ME TO QUIT SMOKING WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL WITHDRAWL
Side effects:		OCCASSIONAL NAUSA SHORTLY AFTER TAKING, OCCASSIONAL GAS, SLEEPING DIFFICULTY
Comments:		1 TABLET IN THE AM ONE IN PM

Chantix review by 36 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		SMOKING CEASATION
Dosage & duration:		1mg 2x's day taken 2 times day for the period of 5 weeks taking it
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		None
		Reported Results
Benefits:		initially made it easier physically to stop smoking however still craving but know that smoking will not give me the same feeling or be as enjoyable due to the blocking of the nicotine receptors being blocked by the drug, so have not smoked.
Side effects:		Full dose made me extremely nasious so am only taking 1 mg at night. Also, constipation.
Comments:		Take 1 tablet in AM and one tablet in PM with food and 8 oz of water

Chantix review by 45 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Extremely Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		quitting smoking
Dosage & duration:		1mg. 2x/day taken as prescribed for the period of 3 weeks
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		regular vitamins
		Reported Results
Benefits:		The only time I didn't want to smoke was when I was so nauseous and or throwing up after taking the medication. I seemingly derived no benefit from the use of this medication.
Side effects:		nausea, vommiting, depression, vivid dreams, and nightmares. The vommiting came on within minutes of ingestion and my physician offered no other dosage or medication to alleviate the side effects.
Comments:		I was to be on this course of treatment for a possible 12 weeks....From the onset of treatment, I experienced every one of the adverse effects and was told that after a few weeks they would subside...So was not the case in my situation...I finally gave up as my life was severely impacted by using this medication.