Varenicline: Efficacy, Precaution, and Safety in Smoking Cessation

Habibollah  Afshang; Reza  Bidaki

doi:10.18502/aptj.v4i1.16713

Habibollah Afshang Department of Pharmacology, Pharm D, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Reza Bidaki Department of Psychiatry Research Center of Addiction And Behavioral Sciences, Non-Communicable Disease Research Institue, Shahid Sadoughi University Of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aptj.v4i1.16713

Keywords: Varenicline, Smoking Cessation, Psychiatric, Renal Failure, Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Varenicline is a medication used to help people quit smoking when used in conjunction with education and counseling. It is the first-line treatment for smoking cessation and is available in 0.5 mg and 1 mg strength oral tablets. Varenicline is primarily eliminated via the kidney through glomerular filtration, and its excretion is via the renal route, so it is important to monitor renal function before and during treatment. Varenicline has been associated with an increased risk of new psychiatric conditions, anxiety, and mood disorders in some individuals. The use of Varenicline should be accompanied by close monitoring and careful consideration of individual patient factors. While Varenicline can be used in a wide range of patients, its use should be carefully considered in patients with heart or blood vessel disease, renal impairment, psychiatric disorder, or seizure.