Effect of Varenicline on Individual Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms: A Combined Analysis of Eight Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Abstract

Use of varenicline while trying to quit smoking reduces and does not increase neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood and irritability measured on the MNWS in smokers without current psychiatric disorders. It is associated with increases in sleep disturbance and appetite although the latter appears due to enabling more subjects to abstain from smoking.

Factor Analysis and Psychometric Properties of the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale and the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale-Revised: Italian Version

“…The validity of the MNWS has been extensively studied [4]: it was found to be able to detect changes during smoking cessation [5], to correlate positively with tolerance to the cardiovascular effects of nicotine [6] and with lower rates of smoking cessation [6]; and having a 1-factor structure [7]. On the contrary, the psychometric properties of the MNWS-R are still poorly known.…”

An Association Between the Use of Hypnotics and Quit Status in the Treatment of Nicotine Dependence With Varenicline in Bipolar Disorder

“…9 Furthermore, treatment with smoking cessation agents such as NRT, bupropion and varenicline are associated with sleep disturbances. 6,7 Moreover, sleep disturbances in persons with bipolar illness may precede illness exacerbations (i.e. depressive and manic episodes) and may persist in the euthymic phase.…”

“…Moreover, all three approved smoking cessation aids (nicotine replacement therapies NRT, bupropion and varenicline) can cause insomnia, abnormal dreams and anxiety. 6,7 Therefore, efforts to better manage insomnia and anxiety will likely increase the odds of heavily addicted smokers, such as those with bipolar illness to quit. A secondary aim in a recently completed randomized, controlled trial of varenicline for smoking cessation in bipolar disorder 8 was to assess whether concomitant medications (sedative-hypnotic agents, anxiolytics, anti-psychotic agents, anti-depressants or mood stabilizers) were correlated with quit status, and those results form the basis of this report.…”

Efficacy of resistance training as an aid to smoking cessation: Rationale and design of the Strength To Quit study

“…Unfortunately, less than 5% of those who attempt to quit are able to maintain long-term abstinence (Rafful, García-Rodríguez, Wang, Secades-Villa, Martínez-Ortega, & Blanco, 2013), particularly greater than six months (Murthy & Subodh, 2010). There are several prescription and over-the-counter medications that have been shown to nearly double the success rate of smoking cessation when compared to a placebo (Herman & Sofuoglu, 2010); however, cost, access, and the perception of medication risk are well known barriers to use (Foulds et al, 2013). In addition, the weight gain associated with quitting can be problematic for both men and women, as current evidence indicates that post-cessation weight gain can range from 4–10 kilograms (Aubin, Farley, Lycett, Lahmek, & Aveyard, 2012).…”