Chantix (Varenicline): Safety Communication - Updated Safety Review On The Risk of Cardiovascular Adverse Events

[Posted 12/12/2012]
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Cardiology, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is informing the public about the results of a large, combined analysis (called a meta-analysis) of clinical trials that compared patients who received the smoking cessation drug Chantix (varenicline) to patients who received a placebo (an inactive treatment). A higher occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (a combined outcome of cardiovascular-related death, nonfatal heart attack, and nonfatal stroke) was observed in patients using Chantix compared to placebo. These events were uncommon in both the Chantix and placebo groups, and the increased risk was not statistically significant, which means it is uncertain whether the excess risk for the Chantix group was due to the drug or due to chance.
BACKGROUND: Chantix is a prescription medicine used to help adults quit smoking that works by blocking the effects of nicotine (from smoking) on the brain. FDA first notified the public about a possible increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events with Chantix in its June 2011 Drug Safety Communication (DSC). FDA required the manufacturer of Chantix to conduct the meta-analysis to further evaluate the cardiovascular safety of the drug, and believes it is important to let health care professionals and patients know about the results of this study. The meta-analysis findings of cardiovascular risk are similar to the findings in the smoking cessation clinical trial of patients with stable cardiovascular disease that was described in FDA’s June 16, 2011 DSC. The Warnings and Precautions section of the Chantix label has been updated to include the results of the meta-analysis.
RECOMMENDATION: Health care professionals are advised to weigh the risks of Chantix against the benefits of its use. It is important to note that smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and Chantix is effective in helping patients to quit smoking and abstain from it for as long as one year. The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and substantial.
Patients taking Chantix should contact their health care professional if they experience new or worsening symptoms of cardiovascular disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, calf pain when walking, or sudden onset of weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking. Patients should also contact their health care professional if they have any questions or concerns about Chantix.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm¹
Download form² or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

[12/12/2012 - Drug Safety Communication³ - FDA]

Previous MedWatch Alerts:

[07/22/2011 - Drug Safety Communication⁴ - FDA]
[06/16/2011 - Drug Safety Communication⁵ - FDA]