Varenicline for Tobacco Dependence

To the Editor: In the November 6 issue, Hays and Ebbert review the use of varenicline (Chantix) for tobacco dependence. 1 Although this review highlights the role of varenicline in achieving abstinence, we think that the presentation of neuropsychiatric side effects is understated. Neuropsychiatric...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe New England journal of medicine Vol. 360; no. 7; pp. 730 - 731
Main Authors Cantrell, Matthew A, Geraets, Douglas
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Massachusetts Medical Society 12.02.2009
Subjects
Affect - drug effects
Behavior - drug effects
Benzazepines - adverse effects
Benzazepines - therapeutic use
Clinical medicine
Humans
Nicotinic Agonists - adverse effects
Nicotinic Agonists - therapeutic use
Quinoxalines - adverse effects
Quinoxalines - therapeutic use
Smoking
Smoking - psychology
Smoking Cessation - psychology
Suicide
Suicides & suicide attempts
Tobacco Use Disorder - drug therapy
Varenicline
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Summary:To the Editor: In the November 6 issue, Hays and Ebbert review the use of varenicline (Chantix) for tobacco dependence. 1 Although this review highlights the role of varenicline in achieving abstinence, we think that the presentation of neuropsychiatric side effects is understated. Neuropsychiatric side effects with varenicline were first publicly reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 20, 2007. In a public health advisory issued on February 1, 2008, the agency stated, “As FDA's review of the data has progressed it has become increasingly likely that the severe changes in mood and behavior may be related to . . .
ISSN:0028-4793
1533-4406
DOI:10.1056/NEJMc082464