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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Drug of the month. Varenicline (Champix)]
1Service de Médecine Interne Générale et Centre d'Aide aux Fumeurs, CHR Nivelles-Tubize, Belgique. vandemergel.x@infonie.be
Abstract:
Smoking is responsible for 20,000 premature deaths per year in Belgium. Paradoxically, few drugs are efficient to induce tobacco cessation and to decrease relapse. Until a few weeks ago nicotin replacement therapy and bupropion only were validated in this indication. Varenicline (Champix), a partial agonist of nicotinic receptors, is a novel type of drugs currently also accepted for sale for smoking cessation. This article dwells on recent publications about efficacy of varenicline. Position, side-effects and advantages of the drug are discussed.
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