The smoking cessation prescription medication varenicline (sold under the brand-name Champix in Canada and Chantix in the U.S.) has gained worldwide popularity with reported sales of $755 million in 2010.  In fact, it has received support from governments throughout Canada, with the exception of the Atlantic Provinces, who are now reimbursing patients for the cost [...]

..In a small, randomized study of 37 cocaine-dependent adults, those treated with Champix (varenicline) experienced significantly lower levels of reward effect from cocaine compared to those being treated with placebo..

Although a slightly increased number of patients experienced serious heart-related events in the group treated with Champix compared to the group treated with placebo, the study was not adequately designed to be able to test the cardiovascular safety of Champix…

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 [...]

A new study coming out of the Unites States is reporting  that there is a substantial increased risk of reported depression/suicidal behaviour associated with varenicline (Champix) than with other smoking cessation products.  The study looked at 3,249 reported cases of suicidal/self-injurious behaviour, 90% of which was associated with varenicine, 10% with bupropion, and 3% for  [...]

An article in this morning’s Toronto Star by Tanya Talaga revealed that the Ontario government will begin to fund the smoking cessation drugs Zyban and Champix, as of August 4. This could cost between 10 and 15 million dollars a year, but is likely to result in great savings to the provincial health care system. [...]