Varenicline for smoking cessation intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: In smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking cessation was previously demonstrated to reduce lung function decline and disease morbidity if it resulted in a sustained tobacco abstinence. Varenicline is a newer pharmacologic therapeutic agent able to reduce withdrawal symptoms in smokers, and this makes it particularly valuable in inducing abstinence in patients with significant addiction. Areas covered: This paper discusses the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of a smoking cessation intervention including varenicline in patients with COPD. Expert opinion: Varenicline can be an appropriate aid to maintaining smoking abstinence in patients with COPD and heavier nicotine addiction, and the documentation of the long-term effects of a smoking cessation intervention that includes this pharmacologic therapeutic agent is necessary.