JAMA: 2006-07-05, Vol. 296, No. 1, Author in the Room Audio Interview

Interview with David Gonzales, PhD, and Stephen Rennard, MD, authors of Helping Patients Stop Smoking: Varenicline vs Bupropion, published in the July 5 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. Summary Points: 1. There is a new and novel pharmaceutical approach to treating nicotine addiction that helps smokers quit by specifically targeting nicotine receptors. 2. Efficacy for varenicline was three to four times that of placebo and twice that of bupropion at the end of 12 weeks of treatment, but abstinence rates in all groups declined after drug treatment ended. 3. The launch of a new smoking cessation medication will likely drive patient demand for smoking cessation services. Medical practices should be prepared to respond to this demand by having a clear, systematic approach to smoking cessation.