Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: varenicline
BRAND NAME: Chantix
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Exposure to Secondhand Smoke May Lower Children's IQ
Medical Author Melissa Stoppler, M.D.
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel,
Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
 A study shows that children who are exposed to
tobacco smoke in the home
may have lower IQs than their unexposed peers.
Despite mounting evidence about the perils of secondhand tobacco smoke
exposure in children, 40% of children in the United States are routinely exposed to
secondhand smoke, termed environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), in their own homes.
ETS has already been definitively linked to a number of medical problems in
children, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), colic, middle ear disease, worsening
of asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems. Research
has also begun to suggest that ETS may be neurotoxic, or damaging to the
nervous system, with potential effects on the development of intellect and reasoning
skills in children.
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DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Varenicline is an oral drug that is used to
promote cessation of smoking. It binds to nicotine receptors in the brain and
competes with nicotine from cigarettes for binding to nicotine receptors.
Although varenicline stimulates nicotine receptors like nicotine, it blocks the
stronger stimulation by nicotine. Therefore, smokers do not experience the full
effect of smoking while taking varenicline. The FDA approved varenicline in May
2006.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 0.5 and 0.1 mg
STORAGE: Varenicline should be stored at room temperature, 15° to 30°C
(59° to 86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Varenicline is an aid for smoking cessation treatment.
DOSING: The recommended dose is 0.5 mg daily for 3 days followed by
0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days, then 1 mg twice daily for the remainder of the
treatment period. Duration of therapy is 12 weeks. If treatment is successful,
an additional 12 weeks is recommended to increase the chance of long-term
abstinence. Those who do not respond or return to smoking after treatment should
be encouraged to try again.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Based on current experience and characteristics of
varenicline, varenicline does not interact with other drugs.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies in
pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether varenicline is excreted in
breast milk. Nursing mothers should consider discontinuing varenicline or
breast-feeding because of the potential for adverse effects in the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most common adverse effects of varenicline are
nausea, sleep disturbance, constipation,
flatulence, and
vomiting.
Headaches,
abnormal dreams and taste disturbance also are frequent side effects of
varenicline. Varenicline is not addictive and is not a controlled substance;
however, some patients may experience irritability and sleep disturbance if
varenicline is abruptly discontinued. Patients may experience psychiatric
symptoms such as behavioral changes, agitation,
depressed mood, and
suicidal
behavior during varenicline treatment.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 2/28/2008
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Smoking (How to Quit Smoking) - Learn how to quit smoking. Smoking is an addictive disease, read about the steps to quit smoking including medication and behavioral modification.
- Smoker's Lung: Pathology Photo Essay - Read about smoker's lung, and see pictures, graphics, and illustrations of diseased lung tissue from smoking from the doctor's at MedicineNet.com
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