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Related Concept Videos

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants


Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Stimulants01:29

Stimulants

Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines01:24

Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines

Theophylline, a member of the methylxanthine class of bronchodilators, has long been used in asthma management. While its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is believed to have multiple effects on various cellular processes.
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
10:44

Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System

Published on: May 24, 2017

Varenicline in smoking cessation.

Serena Tonstad1, Hans Rollema

  • 1Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. stonstad@llu.edu

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
|June 8, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Varenicline, a partial agonist for alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, improves smoking cessation rates compared to other treatments. While generally safe, post-marketing data prompted monitoring for behavioral changes.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Medicine
  • Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Modulation

Background:

  • Varenicline is a novel pharmacotherapy for tobacco addiction.
  • It acts as a partial agonist at alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
  • It has demonstrated improved smoking quit rates compared to monotherapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of varenicline.
  • To examine post-marketing reports and their impact on drug labeling.
  • To assess the association between varenicline and neuropsychiatric adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • Review of placebo-controlled studies and post-marketing surveillance data.
  • Analysis of varenicline's efficacy in diverse smoker populations.

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
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Using Nicotine in a Silica-Exposed Mouse Model to Promote Lung Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
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Using Nicotine in a Silica-Exposed Mouse Model to Promote Lung Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

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  • Evaluation of safety profiles, including behavioral and neuropsychiatric effects.

    • Main Results:

    • Varenicline shows improved quit rates versus other treatments in healthy and comorbid smokers.
    • Efficacy and tolerability are established across various user groups.
    • Post-marketing reports led to labeling changes for behavioral monitoring; however, placebo-controlled studies linked varenicline primarily to sleep disorders, not other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

    Conclusions:

    • Varenicline is an effective smoking cessation aid with a generally favorable safety profile.
    • While post-marketing surveillance identified potential behavioral risks, clinical trial data suggest limited association beyond sleep disturbances.
    • Further research is needed for smokers with pre-existing psychiatric conditions due to limited data.