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Chantix not found to increase smoking cessation attempts, success

After the introduction of Chantix, the number of individuals who used pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation significantly increased; however, it did not lead to greater rates of quit attempts or annual cessation, according to recently published data.

“We had hoped that the new pharmacotherapy would help more people quit, but this is not what is happening. Instead, varenicline is replacing other options like the patch, without having any significant population-level impact on quitting success,” Shu-Hong Zhu, PhD, department of family medicine and public health, University of California, San Diego, said in a press release.

Zhu and colleagues analyzed data from the 2003 and 2010 to 2011 Tobacco Use Supplements survey, to assess the effects of the introduction of Chantix (varenicline, Pfizer) on rates of smoking cessation attempts and successful cessation.  Participants (2003, n = 34,869; 2010-2011, n = 27,751), were either current smokers or had recently quit smoking, and were questioned about use of varenicline, bupropion or nicotine replacement therapies in their cessation attempts.

Overall, women and older adults were more likely to use any form of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, compared with men and adults aged 18 to 24 years. 

Results demonstrated that the use of varenicline increased from 0% in 2003, prior to its market release, to 10.9% in 2010 to 2011.

Use of both bupropion and nicotine replacement therapies, including the patch, sprays and inhalers, decreased between 2003 and 2010 to 2011.

The use of varenicline was associated with greater success in smoking cessation for the first 3 months of use, compared with bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy. However, this trend did not continue past 3 months, at which time, the difference was no longer significant.

No significant decrease in smoking was seen between 2003 and 2011.

Zhu and colleagues noted that when developing new therapies for smoking cessation, there is a greater need for therapies that individuals will not only use, but will lead to substantial increases in smoking cessation success. 

“We are not saying Chantix does not help smokers quit. It does, but it won’t solve America’s tobacco epidemic unless it inspires more smokers to try to quit,” Zhu said in the release. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.