Champix (Varenicline)

Champix Overview

Champix is intended for the treatment of nicotine addiction. Champix has high binding affinity and selectivity. Nicotine is intensely bound to a similar receptor site to which Champix has a higher binding affinity. Due to the use of Champix, the craving for smoking is reduced and the manifestation of withdrawal symptoms is facilitated.

At the same time, the feeling of pleasure from smoking decreases (antagonism in the presence of nicotine). According to clinical studies, Champix has a statistically significant advantage over bupropion. Additionally, Champix significantly reduces the effects of reinforcement that occur during smoking and can reinforce the habit of smoking in patients who smoke during therapy.

Patients who do not want or cannot set a goal to quit smoking for 1–2 weeks may be asked to start therapy with the option to choose their own smoking cessation date within a range of 5 weeks. Patients who previously tried to quit smoking using Champix and who received Champix treatment repeatedly, compared with placebo, have the best level of proven persistent abstinence.

The biotransformation of Champix is minimal: only 92% of the dose is excreted unchanged by the kidneys, less than 10% as metabolites.

Kidney removal is mainly carried out by glomerular filtration in combination with active tubular secretion. The pharmacokinetic processes of Champix do not significantly depend on status, age, sex, race, or concomitant therapy of a person.