Advertising for Pfizer’s Champix (vareniciline) has recently been rolled out which features patients claiming “I did it!”. However what these advertisements fail to announce is the potential cardiovascular risks associated with the use of varenicline. In a systematic review and meta analysis posted in the CMAJ in July, it was found that the use of [...]
Advertising for Pfizer’s Champix (vareniciline) has recently been rolled out which features patients claiming “I did it!”. However what these advertisements fail to announce is the potential cardiovascular risks associated with the use of varenicline. In a systematic review and meta analysis posted in the CMAJ in July, it was found that the use of varenicline was associated with a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events.
Under U.S. advertising regulations, Pfizer cannot advertise directly to consumers when the product contains a black box warning. This type of warning was issued by the FDA in response to the neuropsychiatric events also associated with the use of varenicline. Warnings on these risks have also been issued in Canada; however Health Canada has not yet concluded its review on the newest information regarding the cardiovascular risk.
Are pharmacists counseling patients on the potential for serious adverse effects when starting smoking cessation medications? Is this something patients should be concerned about?
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