Chantix

Here’s the newest drug to help smokers kick the habit. It is called Chantix and it is manufactured by Pfizer.



The Active ingredient is Varenicline (as tartrate) and it comes in a 0.5 mg and 1 mg; tablets.

The drug works by binding to a nicotinic receptor in the brain thereby stimulating the receptor while preventing nicotine from binding. It stimulates receptor-mediated activity but at a lower level than does nicotine and by preventing nicotine from interacting with these receptors, varenicline blocks the ability of nicotine to stimulate the part of the central nervous system believed to be the neuronal mechanism underlying reinforcement and reward experienced with smoking.

Trials so far have shown very good results with quit rates of about 44% compared to bupropion SR at 30% and placebo at 17%.

The most common adverse reactions included nausea, other GI effects (e.g., constipation, flatulence, vomiting), sleep disturbance (e.g., abnormal dreams, insomnia), headache; nicotine withdrawal symptoms (due to smoking cessation).

So far, my patients have reported very good results and many say it is better than anything they have tried.