The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7429 p659
2 December 2006

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

  Acrobat Reader

News summary

Related websites
No smoking resources

Varenicline launch next week

Smokers may be able to kick the habit with the help of a new medicine, available in the UK next week from Pfizer.

Launched as Champix, varenicline binds with high affinity and selectivity to the alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, acting as a partial agonist that has lower intrinsic efficacy than nicotine and has antagonist activity in the presence of nicotine.

Varenicline therapy is started one to two weeks before the date of smoking cessation. Following a one-week titration period (with a dedicated treatment initiation pack), varenicline is taken at a dose of 1mg twice a day.


Notice-board p663