Effectiveness of Champix®
Studies show that 44% of smokers were able to quit at the end of 12 weeks with Champix®.Importantly, will power and support is vital in any attempt to quit. CHAMPIX® is no different, to be effective the patients need to be motivated and committed to giving up. Clinical trials show that following the recommended 12 weeks of therapy, approximately 44% of CHAMPIX® users remained smoke free, compared to 30% on bupropion and 18% on placebo or sugar pills. 
Adapted from Gonzales D et al 
Adapted from Jorenby s et al In these two identical clinical trials patients motivated to quit smoking received either CHAMPIX® 1 mg twice a day, bupropion 150mg twice a day, or sugar pills twice a day for 12 weeks. Patients were given a booklet on quitting smoking. They also received brief counselling at each visit and a telephone call 3 days after their planned quit date. From weeks 9 through 12 in the study, the smoking status of each patient was checked. This information was compared among the 3 groups. Patients were considered to have quit if they did not smoke a cigarette or use other nicotine products for the final 4 weeks of treatment. These two trials showed that CHAMPIX® users were significantly more likely to quit smoking than those taking either bupropion or sugar pills at the end of the treatment; in fact, 4 times more likely than those on sugar pills (odds ratio*=3.69; p<0.0001) and twice as likely as those taking bupropion (odds ratio*=1.87; p<0.0001¥)#. At week 52, following the initial 12 weeks of pharmacological treatment, approximately 22.5% of CHAMPIX® users remained smoke free#. Study 1. Gonzales D et al. Varenicline, an a4-b2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, vs sustained-release bupropion and placebo for smoking cessation. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2006; 296(1):47-55.
Study 2. Jorenby DE et al. Efficacy of varenicline, an a4-b2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, vs placebo or sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2006; 296(1):56-63. *An odds ratio is a way of comparing whether the probability of a certain event is the same for two groups. An odds ratio of 1 implies that the event is equally likely in both groups. An odds ratio greater than one implies that the event is more likely in the first group. An odds ratio less than one implies that the event is less likely in the first group. ¥ p value of <0.001 means that the results of the study are statistically significant and are considered very unlikely to have occurred by chance. # Gonzales DH et al. A pooled analysis of varenicline, an alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist vs. bupropion, and placebo, for smoking cessation. Presented at 12th SRNT, 15-18th Feb, 2006, Orlando, Florida. Abstract PA CHAMPIX™ (varenicline tartrate) is a prescription medicine used to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. It can help to reduce the satisfaction you may get from smoking and the craving and withdrawal symptoms that happen while you give up smoking. It is a medicine that you need to pay for and normal doctor’s fees apply. Do not take this medicine if you are under 18 or have an allergy to the active or other tablet ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression or other mental health problems, have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis, have a history of repeated fits or convulsions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or, if you are breastfeeding. Some people have had changes in behaviour, mood or thinking including anxiety, psychosis, mood swings, depressed mood, agitation, aggression, hearing or sensing things that are not there, self-harm, thoughts of self-harm or harming others while they use CHAMPIX. If you or your family notice changes in your behaviour or mood that are not typical for you, stop taking CHAMPIX immediately and contact a health care professional. Some people can have allergic reactions to CHAMPIX. Some of these reactions can be life threatening and include swelling of the face, mouth and throat that can cause trouble breathing. Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking CHAMPIX. These include rash, swelling and redness of the skin that can become life threatening. Possible side effects with CHAMPIX include new or worse mental health problems, swelling or redness on parts of the face and body, nausea, headache, difficulty in sleeping, abnormal dreams, dizziness, constipation, flatulence, dry mouth and changes in taste. If you have side effects see your doctor. Always read the label and use strictly as directed. Contains varenicline 0.5mg & 1mg. Further medicine details available from your doctor or www.medsafe.govt.nz. Pfizer New Zealand LTD, Auckland.0800 736 363.
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