Pfizer drug ‘quadruples chance to quit smoking’

Pfizer has this week launched its prescription treatment to assist adults that wish to quit smoking. Champix (varenicline tartrate) is the first non-nicotine based pharmaceutical designed to help people quit smoking.

Champix operates with two modes of action. It firstly relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings those that give up smoking experience. Secondly, if patients taking the drug have a cigarette, the satisfaction gained from smoking is reduced, which can reduce the risk of a full relapse.

Varenicline tartrate is administered for a 12 week standard course, though an additional 12 weeks of treatment may be prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Gay Sutherland, consultant clinical psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Smokers Clinic, said: “Varenicline tartrate is a new class of medicine designed to help smokers stop and stay stopped. The early trials have produced very encouraging results.”

She added that the medication used in conjunction with support from NHS services would result in a “significant” increase in the chances of stopping smoking.

In September, Pfizer announced that the European Commission had approved the use of Champix to treat smoking addiction in adults. It reported that the drug would be available with a “patient support plan” designed to target individual behavioural triggers for smoking.