Varenicline is a low-efficacy α4ß2* subtype-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist that has shown success in smoking cessation and promise in preclinical assessments relating to other drugs of abuse. The primary goal of the present study was to examine the effects of varenicline on cocaine self-administration and cocaine discrimination and to compare these effects to those o...

Varenicline, a partial agonist of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), is the most recently approved drug for smoking cessation. Despite the availability of effective treatments for smoking cessation, such as nicotine replacement therapy and Bupropion sustained-release, abstinence rates remain less than optimal. As a nAChR partial agonist, Varenicline attenuates the craving and...

Smoking cessation is the only available intervention proven to halt progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors discuss the current existing treatment modalities and the role of a newly approved agent, varenicline, in promotion of smoking cessation. Varenicline is a novel agent that is a centrally acting partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. It has both ...

AIMS To determine the incremental cost effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline for preventing relapse to smoking when used by abstinent smokers DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Cohort simulation and sensitivity analyses combining cost and health service data with systematic review estimates for the effectiveness of NRT, bupropion and varenicline when used...

IMPORTANCE Some cigarette smokers may not be ready to quit immediately but may be willing to reduce cigarette consumption with the goal of quitting. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of varenicline for increasing smoking abstinence rates through smoking reduction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational clinical trial with a...

Despite the worldwide extent of methamphetamine dependence, no medication has been shown to effectively treat afflicted individuals. One relatively unexplored approach is modulation of cholinergic system function. Animal research suggests that enhancement of central cholinergic activity, possibly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), can reduce methamphetamine-related behaviors. Furthe...

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the efficacy of bupropion and varenicline for treating nicotine dependence as reported in the published studies. We analysed 435 journal articles identified in Pubmed data base with “nicotine, dependence, bupropion / varencline” included in abstract. The “human” filter was applied. 20 efficacy studies were selected and included for evaluation in this...

Varenicline is gaining popularity for the treatment of nicotine dependence. General treatment guidelines recommend monitoring for behavioral changes in patients with a mental illness. There are very few cases reported on patients developing psychiatric symptoms with no previous history. We are reporting the case of a Spanish patient who had developed a first-psychotic episode after he was start...

BACKGROUND Smoking cessation is a key component of secondary cardiovascular disease prevention. Varenicline, a partial alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, is effective for smoking cessation in healthy smokers, but its efficacy and safety in smokers with cardiovascular disease are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial c...