The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recently released a public health advisory on Chantix (varenicline), a smoking cessation drug manufactured by Pfizer. This follows an earlier investigation last year on reported behavioral changes associated with use of the drug. The presence of neurologic or psychiatric effects is not completely surprising, considering that Chantix interferes with the brain’s dopamine system. The dysregulation of dopamine has already been implicated in some neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. Although the drug does not necessarily need to be withdrawn from the market, the FDA cautions both patients and health care providers to be vigilant about past psychiatric conditions and noted mood/behavior changes while on the drug. The FDA adds that use of the drug may interfere with the ability to drive.

Given that lung cancer and heart disease remain among the top killers in the United States, smoking cessation is a key strategy in preventive health. It is hard enough for a smoker to quit. Fortunately there are still several other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic tools to aid in smoking cessation, including nicotine patches, Wellbutrin (bupropion), and a great coach-physician.