INTRODUCTION: Varenicline, a partial agonist/antagonist of the alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, is effective in smoking cessation, which was demonstrated by several randomized, controlled clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we evaluated the practical efficacy of varenicline for smoking cessation in patients who visited a pulmonary clinic at a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Varenicline was prescribed to smokers after brief, standardized, individual counseling from June 2007 to January 2009. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Their smoking status was assessed by telephone interview from October 2007, and final, confirmative telephone inquiry was performed in April 2009. The primary question was 4-week continuous abstinence from smoking between 9 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Overall, 217 current smokers (200 men and 17 women) who were prescribed varenicline were enrolled. On average, participants were 52 years old and had 35 pack-year of smoking history. Nineteen participants (8.8%) did not purchase the drug, and nine (4.1%) who purchased did not take the medicine. Contact was impossible for 32 (14.7%). Fifty participants (23.0%) succeeded, while 107 (49.3%) failed in abstaining from smoking from 9 to 12 weeks. Only 32 (14.7%) had a prescription of varenicline for 12 weeks or more. Most participants (80%) reported their desire for smoking reduced after taking varenicline. Common adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms and neuropsychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although varenicline was effective in reducing the desire to smoke, poor dosing compliance needs to be overcome in clinical practice.
INTRODUCTION:Varenicline, a partial agonist/antagonist of the alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, is effective in smoking cessation, which was demonstrated by several randomized, controlled clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we evaluated the practical efficacy of varenicline for smoking cessation in patients who visited a pulmonary clinic at a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Varenicline was prescribed to smokers after brief, standardized, individual counseling from June 2007 to January 2009. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Their smoking status was assessed by telephone interview from October 2007, and final, confirmative telephone inquiry was performed in April 2009. The primary question was 4-week continuous abstinence from smoking between 9 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Overall, 217 current smokers (200 men and 17 women) who were prescribed varenicline were enrolled. On average, participants were 52 years old and had 35 pack-year of smoking history. Nineteen participants (8.8%) did not purchase the drug, and nine (4.1%) who purchased did not take the medicine. Contact was impossible for 32 (14.7%). Fifty participants (23.0%) succeeded, while 107 (49.3%) failed in abstaining from smoking from 9 to 12 weeks. Only 32 (14.7%) had a prescription of varenicline for 12 weeks or more. Most participants (80%) reported their desire for smoking reduced after taking varenicline. Common adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms and neuropsychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although varenicline was effective in reducing the desire to smoke, poor dosing compliance needs to be overcome in clinical practice.
Authors: Jin Se Kim; Ju Young Jang; Eun Hye Park; Joo Young Lee; Kang Mo Gu; Jae Woo Jung; Jae Chol Choi; Jong Wook Shin; In Won Park; Byoung Whui Choi; Jae Yeol Kim Journal: Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul) Date: 2015-04-02
Authors: Lauren J Lee; Qian Li; Marianna Bruno; Birol Emir; Brian Murphy; Surbhi Shah; Matthew Reynolds; Nick Marchant; Peter W Park Journal: Adv Ther Date: 2018-12-19 Impact factor: 3.845
Authors: Juan Pablo González-Gutiérrez; Hernán Armando Pessoa-Mahana; Patricio Ernesto Iturriaga-Vásquez; Miguel Iván Reyes-Parada; Nicolas Esteban Guerra-Díaz; Martin Hodar-Salazar; Franco Viscarra; Pablo Paillali; Gabriel Núñez-Vivanco; Marcos Antonio Lorca-Carvajal; Jaime Mella-Raipán; María Carolina Zúñiga Journal: Molecules Date: 2019-10-22 Impact factor: 4.411