Chantix

11/27/06

This is a medication that helps people quit smoking.It was approved by the FDA about 6 months ago after being fast tracked because of its significant potential to benefit public health.The centers for disease control and prevention estimates that 44.5 million adults in the united states smoke cigarettes and more than 8.6 million of them have at least one serious illness caused by smoking.Despite the fact that this new drug appears to be the most successful treatment to date at helping smokers quit, there has been surprisingly little publicity surrounding it.Chantix was developed by Pfizer and reportedly works in two ways: it decreases the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine and it blocks certain receptors in the brain that give people pleasure when they use nicotine.In other words, it takes the fun out of smoking.The drug is supposed to be used for about three months.It is taken twice a day and the dosage is gradually increased over the course of the first week, at which time the user is supposed to stop smoking.The cost is about $110 a month..

How well does it work?

In reviewing this new medication the FDA looked at six different clinical trials which included at total of 3659 smokers who averaged 21 cigarettes a day for 25 years.These studies compared Chantix to both placebo and Bupropion (sold as Wellbutrin or Zyban).

After a three month course 44% of the Chantix users had quit smoking compared to 30% of the Bupropion users.Only 17% of those who were given placebo quit smoking at three months.

However, one year later the difference was less impressive- 22% of the Chantix group remained smoke free compared with 16% of the Bupropion group and 10% of the placebo group.

Still, that means that nearly one out of every four people who took Chantix for three months remained off cigarettes one year later where only one out of every ten who were given placebo accomplished the same.Subjects who took Chantix for an additional three months fared even better.

Were there any problems caused by the medicine?

The most common side effect of Chantix was nausea with almost a third of patients reporting some degree of nausea compared with only 10% of the placebo group complaining of nausea.Other reported side effects included headache, insomnia, abnormal dreams, and changes in taste perception.These effects were apparently not common or severe as the rates of discontinuation of the medicine were not significantly different between Chantix, Bupropion, and placebo.Although this new drug is clearly not a panacea it does appear to be the most effective medication we have to offer for smoking cessation.Long term safety will likely take some time to effectively demonstrate but given the known dangers of smoking the FDA panel feels that this medication will likely result in far less harm than continuing to smoke.