Abstinence Rate, Adverse Events and Withdrawal Symptoms after Varenicline Use and Predicting Factors of Smoking Abstinence: A Multicentre Single-State Study in Malaysia

Shea Jiun Choo, Chee Tao Chang, Balamurugan Tangiisuran, Mohd Faiz Abdul Latif, Nor Aida Sanusi and Sabariah Noor Harun
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Shea Jiun Choo: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
Chee Tao Chang: Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh 30450, Malaysia
Balamurugan Tangiisuran: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
Mohd Faiz Abdul Latif: Taiping Health Clinic, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Taiping 34000, Malaysia
Nor Aida Sanusi: Perak Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh 31250, Malaysia
Sabariah Noor Harun: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Varenicline is a widely prescribed agent in smoking cessation. However, the abstinence rate, the incidence of adverse events and withdrawal symptoms, have not been widely studied locally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking abstinence, adverse events and withdrawal symptoms associated with varenicline use, as well as possible factors contributing to successful smoking abstinence. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective, cohort study conducted in twenty-two government-operated smoking cessation clinics across the state of Perak, Malaysia. The medical records of adult smokers (age ≥ 18 years old) who were prescribed with varenicline between January 2017 and June 2018 were traced. The medical records of smokers who used pharmacotherapy other than varenicline, those who received less than four weeks of varenicline treatment, and with missing data were excluded. (3) Results: Sixty-eight out of 114 subjects (59.6%) successfully achieved smoking abstinence. Probable varenicline-induced chest pain was documented in three subjects. Altered behaviour ( n = 2) and auditory hallucinations ( n = 1) were also reported. Varenicline treatment duration is a significant predictive factor for successful smoking abstinence (odds ratio (OR) = 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74–3.45; p < 0.001), followed by age (OR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.005–1.564; p = 0.045), the presence of adverse events (OR = 0.096; 95% CI 0.014–0.644; p = 0.016) and withdrawal symptoms (OR = 0.032; 95% CI 0.016–0.835; p = 0.032). (4) Conclusion: Almost two-thirds of the subjects achieved smoking abstinence with varenicline. The duration of the treatment, as well as the patients’ ages had a significant influence on successful smoking abstinence. Rare cases of cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric-related adverse events were reported, warranting continuous surveillance and adverse drug reaction reporting.

Keywords: varenicline; smoking cessation; treatment outcome; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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