Varenicline Isn't Associated with Excess Risk for Adverse Cardiovascular Events

Varenicline (Chantix) is a partial nicotine-receptor agonist that is used to facilitate smoking cessation. In a recent meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, varenicline use was not associated with excess risk for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events during or within 30 days after stopping treatment (JW Gen Med May 22 2012). In this new nationwide observational study from Denmark, researchers compared risk for adverse CV events in 18,000 new users of varenicline and 18,000 new users of bupropion for smoking cessation. Major CV events included acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, and CV-related death.

During a mean follow-up of 6 months from start of treatment, the rate of major adverse CV events was virtually identical in…