Pharmacoeconomic spotlight on varenicline as an aid to smoking cessation

Varenicline (Chantix, Champix) is an orally administered alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist that is indicated as an aid to smoking cessation. Varenicline was an effective aid to smoking cessation and was generally well tolerated in clinical trials, although more data are needed regarding the potential for neuropsychiatric events. The costs associated with varenicline are offset by direct savings associated with the reduction in smoking-related diseases. Indeed, despite their limitations, available pharmacoeconomic analyses from numerous countries support the use of varenicline for 12 or 24 weeks as a cost-effective treatment relative to other smoking cessation therapies in smokers who wish to quit smoking. For example, in modelled cost-effectiveness analyses conducted from a healthcare payer perspective, 12 weeks' treatment with varenicline consistently dominated bupropion sustained release and nicotine replacement therapy, and was dominant over, or considered cost effective relative to, unaided cessation, brief counselling or nortriptyline, with regard to the incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year or life-year gained.