Efficacy and Safety of Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes A Randomized Clinical Trial

Source:

Russo C, Walicka M, Caponnetto P, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(6):e2217709. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.17709

Key Points

Question  Is varenicline efficacious and safe in achieving long-term abstinence in patients with type 2 diabetes who are willing to quit smoking?

Findings  In this randomized clinical trial involving 300 patients with type 2 diabetes who smoked, varenicline was efficacious at weeks 12, 24, and 52 of the trial compared with placebo. Nausea, insomnia, abnormal dreams, anxiety, and irritability were reported at higher frequency among patients in the varenicline vs placebo group. No treatment-related serious adverse events were noted.

Meaning  Findings of this study suggest that varenicline should be included in diabetes education programs to help patients with type 2 diabetes quit smoking.