In the wake of Chantix's recall, Varenicline use for nicotine dependence dropped by 75% - News-Medical.Net

Although Pfizer’s Chantix (varenicline tartrate) showed prominent efficacy for dry eye disease treatment, its main utility has been in promoting smoking cessation.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed the distribution and use of the Canadian generic Apo-varenicline (varenicline tartrate) soon after the initial recall of Chantix.

The recent JAMA Network Open study evaluated how the Chantix recall influenced prescribing varenicline and other nicotine dependency medications.

In addition, there is a need to address the myths associated with nitrosamines in varenicline products and highlight how usage of the drug outweighs the harm from cigarettes.

In the future, better medication recall procedures and communication are required to avoid the repetition of unnecessary decreases in varenicline use.

This decrease could lead to a potential loss in nicotine cessation opportunities for smokers, which could have otherwise benefitted them immensely.