Chantix Smoking Cessation pill wins FDA approval
The FDA has approved the Chantix (varenicline tartrate) Smoking Cessation pill, designed to assist cigarette smokers in their desire to stop smoking. The Chantix Smoking Cessation pill operates in areas of the brain that are affected by nicotine. Chantix assists those who wish to give up smoking by providing a quantity of nicotine-type effects to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of the typical smoking cessation experience. In addition Chantix works by blocking the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if an individual continues to smoke while undergoing Chantix treatment.
The success of Chantix in smoking cessation was established in six clinical studies, in which over 3500 heavy cigarette smokers were treated with Chantix. In the majority of the randomized, controlled clinical trials Chantix was shown to be superior to placebo in assisting people in their desire to quit smoking. In addition, patients treated with Chantix were more likely to achieve success in quitting smoking than patients treated with Zyban in some of the placebo-based clinical studies.
The official Chantix Smoking Cessation Program is 12 weeks. Individuals who are able to effectively quit smoking during the Chantix Smoking Cessation Program are eligible to receive an additional 12 weeks of Chantix treatment to further increase the probability of a lasting cessation from cigarette smoking.
In Chantix clinical trials, the most frequently reported side effects were nausea, headache, vomiting, gas, insomnia, abnormal dreams, and possible changes in taste perception.
The Chantix Smoking Cessation pill is manufactured by Pfizer.
