Via practica 7-8/2008

VARENIKLÍN – NOVÁ MOŽNOSŤ V LIEČBE NIKOTÍNOVEJ ZÁVISLOSTI

Smoking is the main preventable cause worldwide of morbidity and premature death. More than 70% of smokers want to stop smoking but only 3 – 5 % it reaches without treatment. There is a growing understanding of the neurochemical basis of nicotine addiction, that was used in new drug – varenicline tartrate. Vareniclin is described as a partial agonist, causing moderate activation of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), with partial stimulation of dopamine releasing may mitigate craving and withdrawal symptoms, while its antagonist properties in blocking nicotine binding may reduce smoking satisfaction and psychological reward in those who continue to smoke while taking the drug. Varenicline appears to be the most effective smoking cessation treatment available, increasing quit success rates three-fold when compared with placebo. The author describes its therapeutic indications, the main adverse effect, contraindications, special warnings and precautions for use, interaction and clinical efficacy of varenicline.

Keywords: varenicline, smoking cessation, nicotine addiction, treatment.