Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who take varenicline are more likely to quit smoking than placebo

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine prove that patients who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) and using varenicline are more likely to quit smoking, compared to those who are taking placebo. It is considered that the patients tolerated varenicline very well, with several mild side effects, such as nausea, headache, abdominal dreams, irritability and insomnia. The study proves that varenicline is an ideal treatment alternative, helpful for MDD patients to quit smoking. Gay Sutherland, Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Specialist Smokers` Clinic, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust commented: “In the last seven years, our clinic has successfully helped many smokers with a current or past diagnosis of depression to stop smoking with varenicline. These data have provided additional evidence which support our experience in every day clinical practice”. Dr. Berkeley Phillips, UK Medical Director of Pfizer commented: “A significant number of smokers seeking treatment for smoking cessation have a history of depression. Studies have also shown that smokers with mental health problems are heavier and more dependent smokers than those in the general population. We are therefore delighted that varenicline was shown to be effective in this patient population, whilst having an adverse event profile similar to that observed in smokers without psychiatric disorders”.