New study results showed that 42.3 per cent of smokers with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who took Chantix/Champix (varenicline) were able to quit smoking and remain abstinent during the last four weeks of treatment (weeks 9-12) compared with 8.8 per cent of those given placebo (p<0.0001). These findings were presented by investigators at Chest 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

“Quitting smoking is of paramount importance for all smokers, particularly those with a smoking-related illness, such as COPD,” said Dr Donald Tashkin, study investigator, emeritus professor of medicine at University of California, Los Angeles. “This study shows that varenicline is an effective means of smoking cessation for a highly nicotine-dependent, difficult-to-treat group of patients. The safety profile of varenicline in this study was consistent with its pre-approval clinical trials.”

Up to one-half of all people who smoke may eventually develop COPD, a serious illness that includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. More than 12 million people in the United States are diagnosed with COPD, and 80 to 90 per cent of them are smokers. Further, approximately 24 million US adults have evidence of impaired lung function, suggesting that many people who smoke may have COPD and not yet realize it. Worldwide, COPD currently affects 210 million people and is expected to become the world’s third leading cause of death by 2030.

“We at Pfizer want to help people quit smoking,” said Dr Briggs W Morrison, senior vice president, Primary Care Medicines Development Group at Pfizer. “We sponsored this trial to offer healthcare providers additional information on smokers who are at risk for or diagnosed with COPD, who might especially benefit from quitting. This is just one of several planned and ongoing studies of varenicline that we hope will enhance the medical community’s understanding of this important medicine.”

According to international treatment guidelines from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), quitting smoking is the single most effective--and cost-effective--intervention to prevent COPD and slow its progression.7 The guidelines recommend that all smokers, including those who may be at risk for COPD and those who already have the disease, be offered the most intensive smoking cessation intervention feasible, such as medication and support.7

Chantix/Champix (varenicline) is a prescription medicine to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. Adults who smoke may benefit from quit smoking support programs and/or counseling during their quit attempt.