--- title: "Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline. | Sutter Health" description: "Its targeted mechanism of action, better efficacy and tolerability makes varenicline a useful therapeutic option for smoking cessation." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/smoking-cessation-therapy-with-varenicline-1055312920" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline. # Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline. Mohanasundaram UM, Chitkara R, & Krishna G. _Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2008;3(2):239-51._ 2008-02-01 ## Abstract Smoking cessation is the only available intervention proven to halt progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors discuss the current existing treatment modalities and the role of a newly approved agent, varenicline, in promotion of smoking cessation. Varenicline is a novel agent that is a centrally acting partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. It has both agonistic and antagonistic properties that together are believed to account for reduction of craving and withdrawal as well as blocking the rewarding effects of smoking. Its targeted mechanism of action, better efficacy and tolerability makes varenicline a useful therapeutic option for smoking cessation. In this article, we discuss presently available options for smoking cessation and review the literature on efficacy of varenicline. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18686733) ![Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/7HZoN6h0d4phO4VQYcU6TE-_Cn72_cBpIS3NRGru51E/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/ganesh-krishna-md-fccp-1049681082) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Lung Diseases](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Lung+Diseases%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy spares a drunken crab from the surgeon's knife.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/enb-saves-drunken-crab-fr-surgery-1055312421) Parikh MS, Seeley E, Krishna G. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 Apr 11 - Publication ### [A 24-year-old woman with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, pericardial effusion, and bilateral pleural effusions.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/24-yo-woman-pulmonary-infiltrates-effusions-1055312831) Katikireddy CK, Krishna G, Berry G, Faul J, Kuschner W. Chest. 128(6):4013-7. 2005 Dec 01 - Publication ### [A multicenter RCT of Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve treatment in heterogeneous emphysema (LIBERATE).](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/rct-zephyr-endobronchial-valve-tx-emphysema-liberate-1055312389) Criner GJ, Sue R, Wright S, Dransfield M, Rivas-Perez H, Wiese T, Sciurba FC, Shah PL, Wahidi MM, de Oliveira HG, Morrissey B, Cardoso PFG, Hays S, Majid A, Pastis N Jr, Kopas L, Vollenweider M, McFadden PM, Machuzak M, Hsia DW, Sung A, Jarad N, Kornaszewska M, Hazelrigg S, Krishna G, Armstrong B, Shargill NS, Slebos DJ; LIBERATE Study Group. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201803-0590OC. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 May 22 - Publication ### [Transbronchial Cryobiopsies for the Diagnosis of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases: Expert Statement from the Cryobiopsy Working Group on Safety and Utility and a Call for Standardization of the Procedure.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/transbronchial-cryobx-dx-diffuse-parenchymal-lung-diseases-1055312384) Hetzel J, Maldonado F, Ravaglia C, Wells AU, Colby TV, Tomassetti S, Ryu JH, Fruchter O, Piciucchi S, Dubini A, Cavazza A, Chilosi M, Sverzellati N, Valeyre D, Leduc D, Walsh SLF, Gasparini S, Hetzel M, Hagmeyer L, Haentschel M, Eberhardt R, Darwiche K, Yarmus LB, Torrego A, Krishna G, Shah PL, Annema JT, Herth FJF, Poletti V. Respiration. doi: 10.1159/000484055. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 Jan 09 - Publication ### [A 35-year-old man with fever, dyspnea, and diffuse reticular opacities.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/35-yo-man-fever-dyspnea-reticular-oopacities-1055312816) Katikireddy CK, Krishna G, Keifer T, Kuschner W, Rosen G. Chest. 129(2):482-7. 2006 Feb 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/smoking-cessation-therapy-with-varenicline-1055312920#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/smoking-cessation-therapy-with-varenicline-1055312920#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline.","headline":"Smoking cessation therapy with varenicline.","abstract":"Smoking cessation is the only available intervention proven to halt progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 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