What is varenicline? The 'game changing' pill set to help 'thousands' quit smoking
Tens of thousands of smokers have been offered hope of quitting thanks to a radical new pill that is set to become available on the NHS.
Varenicline has been hailed as a "game changer" by the NHS England's chief executive Amanda Pritchard. The tablet will be taken daily to reduce nicotine cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. It is expected to prevent thousands of deaths related to the habit each year.
Currently, the treatment has been given the greenlight by NHS England and it is not yet confirmed when Scotland will follow suit.
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Smoking is currently the leading cause of preventable illness in the UK, costing the NHS around £2.5 billion every year. Health bosses hope that varenicline will dramatically reduce the number of smoking-related hospital admissions by helping people to quit for good.
But how does the drug affect the body, and how effective is it?
How does varenicline work?
Varenicline works differently to other quit-smoking medicines, which typically replace the nicotine available through cigarettes.
Instead, the drug targets the receptors in the brain that release dopamine in response to nicotine.
Dopamine triggers positive feelings, which makes smoking highly addictive as the brain begins to crave this good sensation.
So by blocking the pleasant effects of nicotine on the brain, varenicline counters the rewarding and reinforcing effects of smoking that keep people hooked to the dangerous habit.
Because of this, the pill may be a promising option for people who have unsuccessfully tried other medicines to quit before smoking in the past.
How effective is varenicline?
According to Cancer Research UK, studies show that the pill works as well as vapes and even better than nicotine patches to reduce users’ dependency on smoking. When used alongside behavioural support such as counselling, varenicline has helped around one in four people to stop smoking for at least six months.
The NHS estimates that by offering varenicline alongside other NHS stop smoking services, this dual approach could help over 85,000 people trying to quit smoking each year. Research from University College London has also shown it could prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years.
Are there any side-effects of varenicline?
As with many medications, varenicline poses potential side-effects that patients should be aware of before starting a prescription. The Mayo Clinic warns that the drug can cause nausea, difficulty sleeping or vivid dreams and constipation.
It can also result in painful or irregular menstruation and joint pain or muscle stiffness. More rarely, the drug can prompt anxiety, dizziness, headaches, and sweating.
How does smoking affect the brain?
While varenicline carries some risks, experts stress that these side effects are far less damaging than the extensive and extreme health hazards posed by long-term smoking.
According to consultant neurologist Dr Steven Allder, the toxic chemicals in cigarettes such as nicotine and carbon monoxide restrict blood flow to the brain, which reduces oxygen supply to brain cells.
Over time, this leads to cell damage and shrinking brain volume, which in turn causes the brain to age faster and heightens the risk of cognitive decline. As a result, smokers to expect to face challenges with memory, processing speed and executive functions.
Alzheimer's Research UK has also flagged numerous studies showing that this damage to brain cells puts smokers at greater risk of developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, as well as increasing the chances of having a stroke.
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