Varenicline

It is a prescription medication used to treat smoking addiction. This medication is the first approved nicotinic receptor partial agonist, Specifically, varenicline is a partial agonist of the alpha4/beta2 subtype of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Indications

Smoking cessation.

Dosage

Oral; 1mg twice daily, start with dose of 0.25mg and escalate upto 1mg twice daily in about 1 week for total duration of 12-24 weeks.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity.

Special Precautions

Excreted from kidney so take special precaution in renal impairment. Paediatric: Safety not established. Pregnancy: Category C; Use if risk to fetus outweights benefits. Lactation: Excreted in milk. Elderly: Sensitivity increases with age.

Side Effects

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Suicidality, Angioegema, Hypersensitivity Reactions, Serious Skin Reactions, Cardiovascular Side effects, Nausea.

Drug Interactions

Cimetidine.