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Studies show new drug helps smokers quit

Respiratory Care Weekly, July 5, 2006

Researchers found that the new Pfizer drug Varenicline helped maintain smoking-cessation rates of nearly 30% at 24 weeks and more than 20% for one year, according to three Pfizer-supported studies that appeared in the July 5 Journal of the American Medical Association. Those rates were better than placebo and typical nicotine-replacement medication. Varenicline, a nonnicotine drug stimulates the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain to reduce craving and withdrawal, while simultaneously blocking the reinforcing effects of smoked nicotine. The large study-1,000-plus subjects-was Phase III, meaning the last research stop before the FDA considers it for approval.
 
"Varenicline is an efficacious therapy for smoking cessation," the authors write. "In this trial, Varenicline was more efficacious than placebo at all time points and more efficacious than [nicotine replacement] sustained-release bupropion at the end of 12 weeks of treatment and at 24 weeks."

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