english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > 100 most recent > Giving up smoking: varenicline linked to depression and suicidal thoughts

Spotlight

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

100 most recent :  1 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90

Giving up smoking: varenicline linked to depression and suicidal thoughts

For smokers wishing to quit, if medical treatment is necessary, nicotine is the best option as it has a more favourable risk-benefit balance.

Efforts to give up smoking are more successful when the person is motivated and supported in their attempt. However, medical treatment is sometimes useful. Nicotine remains the best evaluated drug. Furthermore it is available in a variety of forms and dosages, which makes its use easier.

Varenicline, also sold to help smokers give up, presents a number of adverse effects. At the end of 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration linked varenicline to suicidal thoughts and occasionally suicidal behaviour in patients with no psychiatric history.

Similarly, a report published by the British drug regulatory agency in December 2007 mentioned depression, suicidal thoughts, altered dreams, headaches and drowsiness with varenicline.

Another reason for giving preference to nicotine.

©Prescrire February 2008

Source: "Varénicline : dépressions et suicides" Rev Prescrire 2008 ; 28 (292) : 105

- More articles in Prescrire's "Spotlight"...