Smoking cessation drug users exposed to higher risk of heart disease: study

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Smokers who are taking a common drug in smoking cessation treatment may have a greater risk of suffering heart disease such as stroke, said a new study published Wednesday.

Patients taking varenicline, one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for helping people quit smoking, were 34 percent more likely to be hospitalized or need an emergency treatment for a cardiovascular illness, according to the study published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In contrast, for those who had not previously experienced a cardiovascular event, the increased incidence was only 12 percent, it said.

The study was conducted by Canadian researchers in an observational and self-controlled trial.

The researchers examined the medical records of 56,851 new users of varenicline between September 2011 and February 2015 living in Ontario, a province in east-central Canada that borders the U.S. and the Great Lakes.

They found 4,185 patients suffered one or more cardiovascular diseases while 4,720 people experienced neuropsychiatric events, which required an emergency room visit or hospitalization.

Cardiovascular events include heart attack, stroke, arrhythmias, unstable angina and peripheral vascular disease.

Neuropsychiatric events refer to depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, insomnia and self-harm.

In the observational trial, the patients have their own control of the intake of varenicline, which is often taken for 12 weeks.

The researchers said other studies indicated that varenicline has a long-term beneficial effect of helping people quit smoking, which greatly reduces chances of developing heart disease and cancer.

Therefore, the study does not suggest people not take varenicline at all, but serves as an encouragement for people to make a wise decision based on accurate information about its risks and long-term health benefits, they said. Enditem