This Month in Psychopharmacology

FDA Says Varenicline Is Not Effective in Children

The nicotinic receptor agonist, varenicline, is a useful tool that has helped many nicotine-addicted adults with cessation from use of tobacco products. However, the FDA has recently updated the varenicline label highlighting that varenicline is not effective for patients 16 years and younger. This update comes after the drug's manufacturer was required to study the drug in the pediatric population under the Pediatric Research Equity Act. A placebo-controlled trial testing two doses of varenicline in patients age 12-16 years old found that varenicline did not significantly improve abstinence rates in this population. This is unfortunate news given that tobacco use among adolescents remains a growing problem; however, the FDA is taking strides to support research on tobacco use and its cessation in the pediatric population.


>> FDA Press Release


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This Month in Psychopharmacology: Child Psychiatry

This Month in Psychopharmacology: Addiction/Reward