VARENICLINE- varenicline tartrate tablet, film coated

Varenicline by

Drug Labeling and Warnings

Varenicline by is a Prescription medication manufactured, distributed, or labeled by AVALANCHE PHARMACEUTICAL LLC, Aarkish Pharmaceuticals NJ Inc.. Drug facts, warnings, and ingredients follow.

Drug Details [pdf]

  • 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

    Varenicline tablets are indicated for use as an aid to smoking cessation treatment.

  • 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

    2.1 Usual Dosage for Adults


    Smoking cessation therapies are more likely to succeed for patients who are motivated  to stop smoking and who are provided additional advice and support. Provide patients with appropriate educational materials and counseling tosupport the quit attempt.
    The patient should set a date to stop smoking. Begin varenicline tablets dosing one week before this date. Alternatively, the patient can begin varenicline tablets dosing and then quit smoking between days 8 and 35 of treatment.
    Varenicline tablets should be taken orally after eating and with a full  glass of water.
    The recommended dose of varenicline tablets is 1 mg twice daily following a 1-week titration as follows:


    Days 1 to 3:
    		0.5 mg once
    daily
    Days 4 to 7:
    		0.5 mg twice
    daily
    Day 8 to end of
    treatment:
    		1 mg twice daily

    Patients should be treated with varenicline tablets for 12 weeks. For patients who have successfully stopped smoking at the end of12 weeks, an additional course of 12 weeks treatment with varenicline tablets is recommended to further increase the likelihood of long-term abstinence.
    For patients who are sure that they are not able or willing to quit abruptly, consider a gradual approach to quitting smoking with varenicline tablets. Patients should begin varenicline tablets dosing and reduce smoking by 50% from baseline within the first four weeks, by an additional 50% in the next four weeks, and continue reducing with the goal of reaching complete abstinence by 12 weeks. Continue varenicline tablets treatment for an additional 12 weeks, for a total of 24 weeks of treatment. Encourage patients to attempt quitting sooner if they feel ready  [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].
    Patients who are motivated to quit, and who did not succeed in stopping smoking during prior varenicline tablets therapy for reasons other than intolerability due to adverse events or who relapsed after treatment, should be encouraged to make another attempt with varenicline tablets once factors contributing to the failed attempt have been identified and addressed.
    Consider a temporary orpermanent dose reduction in patients who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of varenicline tablets.


    2.2 Dosage in Special Populations

    Patients with Impaired Renal Function

    No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. For patients with severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance less than 30 mL per min), the recommended starting dose of varenicline tablets is 0.5 mg once daily. The dose may then be titrated as needed to a maximum dose of 0.5 mg twice daily. For patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, a maximum dose of 0.5 mg once daily may be administered if tolerated [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

    Elderly and Patients with Impaired Hepatic Function

    No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with hepatic impairment. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].


  • 3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

    Capsular, biconvex tablets: 0.5 mg (white to off-white film-coated tablets, debossed with  “0.5” on one side and plain on the other side) and 1 mg (light blue film-coated tablets, debossed with “1.0” on one side and plain on the other side).

  • 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

    Varenicline tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known history of serious hypersensitivity reactions or skin reactions to varenicline tablets.

  • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    5.1 Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events including Suicidality

    Serious neuropsychiatric adverse events have been reported in patients being treated with varenicline [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. These postmarketing reports have included changes in mood (including depression and mania), psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, homicidal ideation, aggression, hostility, agitation, anxiety, and panic, as well as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide. Some patients who stopped smoking may have been experiencing symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, including depressed mood. Depression, rarely including suicidal ideation, has been reported in smokers undergoing a smoking cessation attempt without medication.

    However, some of these adverse events occurred in patients taking varenicline who continued to smoke. Neuropsychiatric adverse events occurred in patients without and with pre-existing psychiatric disease; some patients experienced worsening of their psychiatric illnesses. Some neuropsychiatric adverse events, including unusual and sometimes aggressive behavior directed to oneself or others, may have been worsened by concomitant use of alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Observe patients for the occurrence of neuropsychiatric adverse events. Advise patients and caregivers that the patient should stop taking varenicline and contact a healthcare provider immediately if agitation, depressed mood, or changes in behavior or thinking that are not typical for the patient are observed, or if the patient develops suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior. The healthcare provider should evaluate the severity of the symptoms and the extent to which the patient is benefiting from treatment, and consider options including dose reduction, continued treatment under closer monitoring, or discontinuing treatment. In many postmarketing cases, resolution of symptoms after discontinuation of varenicline was reported. However, the symptoms persisted in some cases; therefore, ongoing monitoring and supportive care should be provided until symptoms resolve. The neuropsychiatric safety of varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, active and placebo-controlled study that included patients without a history of psychiatric disorder (non-psychiatric cohort, N=3912) and patients with a history of psychiatric disorder (psychiatric cohort, N=4003). In the non-psychiatric cohort, varenicline was not associated with an increased incidence of clinically significant neuropsychiatric adverse events in a composite endpoint comprising anxiety, depression, feeling abnormal, hostility, agitation, aggression, delusions, hallucinations, homicidal ideation, mania, panic, and irritability. In the psychiatric cohort, there were more events reported in each treatment group compared to the non-psychiatric cohort, and the incidence of events in the composite endpoint was higher for each of the active treatments compared to placebo: Risk Differences (RDs) (95%CI) vs. placebo were 2.7% (-0.05, 5.4) for varenicline, 2.2% (-0.5, 4.9) for bupropion, and 0.4% (-2.2, 3.0) for transdermal nicotine. In the non-psychiatric cohort, neuropsychiatric adverse events of a serious nature were reported in 0.1% of varenicline-treated patients and 0.4% of placebo-treated patients. In the psychiatric cohort, neuropsychiatric events of a serious nature were reported in 0.6% of varenicline-treated patients, with 0.5% involving psychiatric hospitalization. In placebo-treated patients, serious neuropsychiatric events occurred in 0.6%, with 0.2% requiring psychiatric hospitalization [see Clinical Studies (14.10)].

    5.2 Seizures

    During clinical trials and the postmarketing experience, there have been reports of seizures in patients treated with varenicline. Some patients had no history of seizures, whereas others had a history of seizure disorder that was remote or well-controlled. In most cases, the seizure occurred within the first month of therapy. Weigh this potential risk against the potential benefits before prescribing varenicline in patients with a history of seizures or other factors that can lower the seizure threshold. Advise patients to discontinue varenicline and contact a healthcare provider immediately if they experience a seizure while on treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

    5.3 Interaction with Alcohol

    There have been postmarketing reports of patients experiencing increased intoxicating effects of alcohol while taking varenicline. Some cases described unusual and sometimes aggressive behavior, and were often accompanied by amnesia for the events. Advise patients to reduce the amount of alcohol they consume while taking varenicline until they know whether varenicline affects their tolerance for alcohol [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

    5.4 Accidental Injury

    There have been postmarketing reports of traffic accidents, near-miss incidents in traffic, or other accidental injuries in patients taking varenicline. In some cases, the patients reported somnolence, dizziness, loss of consciousness or difficulty concentrating that resulted in impairment, or concern about potential impairment, in driving or operating machinery. Advise patients to use caution driving or operating machinery or engaging in other potentially hazardous activities until they know how varenicline may affect them.

    5.5 Cardiovascular Events

    A comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular (CV) risk with varenicline suggests that patients with underlying CV disease may be at increased risk; however, these concerns must be balanced with the health benefits of smoking cessation. CV risk has been assessed for varenicline in randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses of RCTs. In a smoking cessation trial in patients with stable CV disease, CV events were infrequent overall; however, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and nonfatal stroke occurred more frequently in patients treated with varenicline compared to placebo. All-cause and CV mortality was lower in patients treated with varenicline [see Clinical Studies (14.8)]. This study was included in a meta-analysis of 15 varenicline efficacy trials in various clinical populations that showed an increased hazard ratio for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) of 1.95; however, the finding was not statistically significant (95% CI: 0.79, 4.82). In the large postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome trial, an analysis of adjudicated MACE events was conducted for patients while in the trial and during a 28-week nontreatment extension period. Few MACE events occurred during the trial; therefore, the findings did not contribute substantively to the  understanding of CV risk with varenicline. Instruct patients to notify their healthcare providers of new or worsening CV symptoms and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of MI or stroke [see Clinical Studies (14.10)].

     

    5.6 Somnambulism

    Cases of somnambulism have been reported in patients taking varenicline. Some cases described harmful behavior to self, others, or property. Instruct patients to discontinue varenicline and notify their healthcare provider if they experience somnambulism [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

    5.7 Angioedema and Hypersensitivity Reactions

    There have been postmarketing reports of hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema in patients treated with varenicline [see Adverse Reactions (6.2), PatientCounseling Information (17)]. Clinical signs included swelling of the face, mouth (tongue, lips, and gums), extremities, and neck (throat and larynx). There were infrequent reports of life-threatening angioedema requiring emergent medical attention due torespiratory compromise. Instruct patients to discontinue varenicline and immediately seek medical care ifthey experience these symptoms.

    5.8 Serious Skin Reactions

    There have been postmarketing reports of rare but serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme, in patients using varenicline  [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].As these skin reactions can be life-threatening, instruct patients to stop taking varenicline and contact a healthcare providerimmediately at thefirst appearance of a skin rash with mucosal lesions or any other signs of hypersensitivity.

    5.9 Nausea

    Nausea was the most common adverse reaction reported with varenicline treatment. Nausea was generally described as mild or moderate and often transient; however, for some patients, it was persistent over several months. The incidence of nausea was dose-dependent. Initial dose-titration was beneficial in reducing the occurrence of nausea. For patients treated to the maximum recommended dose of 1 mg twice daily following initial dosage titration, the incidence of nausea was 30% compared with 10% in patients taking a comparable placebo regimen. In patients taking varenicline 0.5 mg twice daily following initial titration, the incidence was 16% compared with 11% for placebo. Approximately 3% of patients treated with varenicline 1 mg twice daily in studies involving 12 weeks of treatment discontinued treatment prematurely because of nausea. For patients with intolerable nausea, a dose reduction should be considered.

  • 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

    The following serious adverse reactions were reported in postmarketing experience and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

    • Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events including Suicidality [see Warnings and Precautions(5.1)]
    • Seizures [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
    • Interaction with Alcohol [ see Warning and Precautions (5.3)]
    • Accidental Injury [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
    • Cardiovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
    • Somnambulism [seeWarningsandPrecautions(5.6)]
    • Angioedema and Hypersensitivity Reactions [seeWarningsandPrecautions(5.7)]
    • Serious Skin Reactions [seeWarningsandPrecautions(5.8)]

    In the placebo-controlled premarketing studies, the most common adverse events associated with varenicline (>5% and twice the rate seen in placebo treated patients) were nausea, abnormal (vivid, unusual, or strange) dreams, constipation, flatulence, and vomiting.

    The treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events in patients dosed with 1 mg twice daily was 12% for varenicline, compared to 10% for placebo in studies of three months’ treatment. In this group, the discontinuation rates that are higher than placebo for the most common adverse events in varenicline-treated patients were as follows: nausea (3% vs. 0.5% for placebo), insomnia (1.2% vs. 1.1% for placebo), and abnormal dreams (0.3% vs. 0.2% for placebo).

    Smoking cessation, with or without treatment, is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and has also been associated with the exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness.

    6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

    Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

    During the premarketing development of varenicline, over 4500 subjects were exposed to varenicline, with over 450 treated for at least 24 weeks and approximately 100 for a year. Most study participants were treated for 12 weeks or less. The most common adverse event associated with varenicline treatment is nausea, occurring in 30% of patients treated at the recommended dose, compared with 10% in patients taking a comparable placebo regimen [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]. Table 1 shows the adverse events for varenicline and placebo in the 12-week fixed dose premarketing studies with titration in the first week [Studies 2 (titrated arm only), 4, and 5]. Adverse events were categorized using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA, Version 7.1). MedDRA High Level Group Terms (HLGT) reported in ≥5% of patients in the varenicline 1 mg twice daily dose group, and more commonly than in the placebo group, are listed, along with subordinate Preferred Terms (PT) reported in ≥1% of varenicline patients (and at least 0.5% more frequent than placebo). Closely related Preferred Terms such as ‘Insomnia’, ‘Initial insomnia’, ‘Middle insomnia’, ‘Early morning awakening’ were grouped, but individual patients reporting two or more grouped events are only counted once.


    Table 1. Common Treatment Emergent AEs (%) in the Fixed-Dose, Placebo-Controlled Studies (HLGTs ≥ 5% of Patients in the 1 mg BID Varenicline Group and More Commonly than Placebo and PT ≥ 1% in the 1 mg BID Varenicline Group, and 1 mg BID Varenicline at Least 0.5% More than Placebo)


    SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS
    High Level Group TermPreferred Term
    		Varenicline
    0.5 mg BIDN=129
    		Varenicline 1 mg BID
     N=821
    		Placebo N=805
    GASTROINTESTINAL (GI)
    		 
    		 
    		 
    GI Signs and Symptoms
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Nausea
    		16
    		30
    		10
    Abdominal Pain *
    		5
    		7
    		5
    Flatulence
    		9
    		6
    		3
    Dyspepsia
    		5
    		5
    		3
    Vomiting
    		1
    		5
    		2
    GI Motility/Defecation Conditions
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Constipation
    		5
    		8
    		3
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease
    		1
    		1
    		0
    Salivary Gland Conditions
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Dry mouth
    		4
    		6
    		4
    PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Sleep Disorder/Disturbances
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Insomnia **
    		19
    		18
    		13
    Abnormal dreams
    		9
    		13
    		5
    Sleep disorder
    		2
    		5
    		3
    Nightmare
    		2
    		1
    		0
    NERVOUS SYSTEM
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Headaches
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Headache
    		19
    		15
    		13
    Neurological Disorders
    		 
    		 
    		 
    NEC
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Dysgeusia
    		8
    		5
    		4
    Somnolence
    		3
    		3
    		2
    Lethargy
    		2
    		1
    		0
    GENERAL DISORDERS
    		 
    		 
    		 
    General Disorders NEC
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Fatigue/Malaise/Asthenia
    		4
    		7
    		6
    RESPIR/THORACIC/MEDIAST
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Respiratory Disorders NEC
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Rhinorrhea
    		0
    		1
    		0
    Dyspnea
    		2
    		1
    		1
    Upper Respiratory Tract Disorder
    		7
    		5
    		4
    SKIN/SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Epidermal and Dermal Conditions
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Rash
    		1
    		3
    		2
    Pruritis
    		0
    		1
    		1
    METABOLISM and NUTRITION
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Appetite/General Nutrition Disorders
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Increased appetite
    		4
    		3
    		2
    Decreased appetite/ Anorexia
    		1
    		2
    		1

    * Includes PTs Abdominal (pain, pain upper, pain lower, discomfort, tenderness, distension) and Stomach discomfort

    ** Includes PTs Insomnia/ Initial Insomnia / Middle insomnia/ Early morning awakening

    The overall  pattern and frequency of adverse events during the longer-term premarketing trials was similar to those described in Table 1, though several of the most common events were reported by a greater proportion of patients with long-term use (e.g., nausea was reported in 40% of patients treated with varenicline 1 mg twice daily in a one year study, compared to 8% of placebo-treated patients).

    Following is a list of treatment-emergent adverse events reported by patients treated with varenicline during all premarketing clinical trials and updated based on pooled datafrom 18 placebo-controlled pre- and postmarketing studies, including approximately 5,000 patients treated with varenicline. Adverse events were categorized using MedDRA, Version 16.0. The listing does not include those events already listed in the previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, those events for which a drug cause was remote, those events which were so general as to be uninformative, and those events reported only once which did not have a substantial probability of being acutely life-threatening.

    Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders.Infrequent: anemia, lymphadenopathy. Rare: leukocytosis, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia.

    Cardiac Disorders. Infrequent: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, palpitations,tachycardia.  Rare: acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, cardiac flutter, cor pulmonale, coronary artery disease, ventricular extra systoles.

    Ear and Labyrinth Disorders.  Infrequent: tinnitus, vertigo.  Rare: deafness, Meniere’s disease.

    Endocrine Disorders.  Infrequent: thyroid gland disorders.

    Eye Disorders. Infrequent: conjunctivitis, eye irritation, eye pain, vision blurred, visual impairment. Rare: blindness transient, cataract subcapsular, dry eye, night blindness, ocular vascular disorder, photophobia, vitreous floaters.

    Gastrointestinal Disorders.  Frequent: diarrhea, toothache.  Infrequent: dysphagia, eructation, gastritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, mouth ulceration. Rare:enterocolitis, esophagitis, gastriculcer, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis acute.

    General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions.  Frequent: chest pain.  Infrequent: chest discomfort, chills, edema, influenza-like illness, pyrexia.

    Hepatobiliary Disorders.  Rare: gall bladder disorder.

    Investigations. Frequent: liver function test abnormal, weight increased. Infrequent: electrocardiogram abnormal.  Rare: muscle enzyme increased, urine analysis abnormal.

    Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders.  Infrequent: diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia.  Rare: hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia.

    Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders. Frequent: arthralgia, back pain, myalgia. Infrequent: arthritis, muscle cramp, musculoskeletal pain. Rare: myositis, osteoporosis.

    Nervous System Disorders. Frequent: disturbance in attention, dizziness. Infrequent: amnesia, convulsion, migraine, parosmia, syncope, tremor. Rare: balance disorder, cerebrovascular accident, dysarthria, mental impairment, multiple sclerosis, VIIth nerve paralysis, nystagmus, psychomotor hyperactivity, psychomotor skills impaired, restless legs syndrome, sensory disturbance, transient ischemic attack, visual field defect.

    Psychiatric Disorders. Infrequent: dissociation, libido decreased, mood swings, thinking abnormal.  Rare: bradyphrenia, disorientation, euphoric mood.

    Renal and Urinary Disorders.  Infrequent: nocturia, pollakiuria, urine abnormality.  Rare: nephrolithiasis, polyuria, renal failure acute, urethral syndrome, urinary retention.

    Reproductive System and Breast Disorders.  Frequent: menstrual disorder.  Infrequent: erectile dysfunction.  Rare: sexual dysfunction.

    Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders. Frequent: respiratory disorders. Infrequent: asthma, epistaxis, rhinitis allergic, upper respiratory tract inflammation. Rare: pleurisy, pulmonary embolism.

    Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders.  Infrequent: acne, dry skin, eczema, erythema, hyperhidrosis, urticaria.  Rare: photosensitivity reaction, psoriasis.

    Vascular Disorders.  Infrequent: hot flush.  Rare: thrombosis.

    Varenicline has also been studied in postmarketing trials including (1) a trial conducted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (2) a trial conducted in generally healthy patients (similar to those in the premarketing studies) in which they were allowed to select a quit date between days 8 and 35 of treatment (“alternative quit date instruction trial”), (3) a trial conducted in patients who did not succeed in stopping smoking during prior varenicline therapy, or who relapsed after treatment (“re- treatment trial”), (4) a trial conducted in patients with stable cardiovascular disease, (5) a trial conducted in patients with stable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, (6) a trial conducted in patients with major depressive disorder, (7) a postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome trial in patients without or with a history of psychiatric disorder, (8) a non-treatment extension of the postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome trial that assessed CV safety, (9) a trial in patients who were not able or willing to quit abruptly and who were instructed to quit gradually (“gradual approach to quitting smoking trial”).

    Adverse events in the trial of patients with COPD (1), in the alternative quit dateinstruction trial (2), and in the gradual approach toquitting smoking trial (9) were similar to those observed in premarketing studies. In the re-treatment trial (3), the profile of common adverse events was similar to that previously reported, but, in addition, varenicline-treated patients also commonly reported diarrhea (6% vs. 4% in placebo-treated patients), depressed mood disorders and disturbances (6% vs. 1%), and other mood disorders and disturbances (5% vs. 2%).

    In the trial of patients with stable cardiovascular disease (4), more types and a greater number of cardiovascular events were reported compared to premarketing studies, as shown in Table 1 and in Table 2 below.


    Table 2. Cardiovascular Mortality and Nonfatal Cardiovascular Events (%) with a Frequency >1% in Either Treatment Group in the Trial of Patients with Stable Cardiovascular Disease

     
    		Varenicline 
    1mg BID
    N=353
    		PlaceboN=350
    Adverse Events ≥1% in either treatment group
    		 
    		 
    Up to 30 days after treatment
    		 
    		 
    Angina pectoris
    		3.7
    		2.0
    Chest pain
    		2.5
    		2.3
    Peripheral edema
    		2.0
    		1.1
    Hypertension
    		1.4
    		2.6
    Palpitations
    		0.6
    		1.1
    Adjudicated Cardiovascular Mortality (up to 52 weeks)
    		0.3
    		0.6
    Adjudicated Nonfatal Serious Cardiovascular Events
    ≥1% in either treatment group
    		 
    		 
    Up to 30 days after treatment
    		 
    		 
    Nonfatal MI
    		1.1
    		0.3
    Hospitalization for angina pectoris
    		0.6
    		1.1
    Beyond 30 days after treatment and up to 52 weeks
    		 
    		 
    Need for coronary revascularization*
    		2.0
    		0.6
    Hospitalization for angina pectoris
    		1.7
    		1.1
    New diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or
    admission for a PVD procedure
    		1.4
    		0.6

    *some procedures were part of management of nonfatal MI and hospitalization for angina

    In the trial of patients with stable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (5), 128 smokers on antipsychotic medication were randomized 2:1 to varenicline (1 mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks with 12-week non-drug follow-up. The most common treatment emergent adverse events reported in this trial are shown in Table 3 below.


    Table 3. Common Treatment Emergent AEs (%) in the Trial of Patients with Stable Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID 
    N=84
    		Placebo
    N=43
    Adverse Events ≥10% in the varenicline group
    		 
    		 
    Nausea
    		24
    		14
    Headache
    		11
    		19
    Vomiting
    		11
    		9
    Psychiatric Adverse Events ≥5% and at a higher rate than
    in the placebo group
    		 
    		 
    Insomnia
    		10
    		5

    For the trial of patients with major depressive disorder (6), the most common treatment emergent adverse events reported are shown in Table 4 below. Additionally, in this trial, patients treated with varenicline were more likely than patients treated with placebo to report one of events related to hostility and aggression (3% vs. 1%).


    Table 4. Common Treatment Emergent AEs (%) in the Trial of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder


     
    		Varenicline 1 mg BID
    N=256
    		PlaceboN=269
    Adverse Events ≥10% in either treatment group
    		 
    		 
    Nausea
    		27
    		10
    Headache
    		17
    		11
    Abnormal dreams
    		11
    		8
    Insomnia
    		11
    		5
    Irritability
    		11
    		8
    Psychiatric Adverse Events ≥2% in any treatment group
    and not included above
    		 
    		 
    Depressed mood disorders and disturbances
    		11
    		9
    Anxiety
    		7
    		9
    Agitation
    		7
    		4
    Tension
    		4
    		3
    Hostility
    		2
    		0.4
    Restlessness
    		2
    		2

    In the trial of patients without or with a history of psychiatric disorder (7), the most common adverse events in subjects treated with varenicline were similar to those observed in premarketing studies. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events reported in this trial are shown in Table 5 below.


    Table 5. Treatment Emergent Common AEs (%) in the Trial of Patients without or with a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    Adverse Events ≥10% in the varenicline
    group
    		 
    		 
    Entire study population, N
    		1982
    		1979
    Nausea
    		25
    		7
    Headache
    		12
    		10
    Psychiatric Adverse Events ≥2% in any
    treatment group
    		 
    		 
    Non-psychiatric cohort, N
    		975
    		982
    Abnormal dreams
    		8
    		4
    Agitation
    		3
    		3
    Anxiety
    		5
    		6
    Depressed mood
    		3
    		3
    Insomnia
    		10
    		7
    Irritability
    		3
    		4
    Sleep disorder
    		3
    		2
    Psychiatric cohort, N
    		1007
    		997
    Abnormal dreams
    		12
    		5
    Agitation
    		5
    		4
    Anxiety
    		8
    		6
    Depressed mood
    		5
    		5
    Depression
    		5
    		5
    Insomnia
    		9
    		7
    Irritability
    		5
    		7
    Nervousness
    		2
    		3
    Sleep disorder
    		3
    		2

    In the non-treatment extension ofthe postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcomes trial that assessed CV safety (8), the most common adverse events in subjects treated with varenicline and occurring up to 30 days after last dose of treatment were similar to  those observed in premarketing studies  

    6.2 Postmarketing Experience

    The following adverse events have been reported during post-approval use of varenicline. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

    There have been reports of depression, mania, psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, homicidal ideation, aggression, hostility, anxiety, and panic, as well as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide in patients attempting to quit smoking while taking varenicline [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

    There have been postmarketing reports of new or worsening seizures in patients treated with varenicline  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

    There have been postmarketing reports of patients experiencing increased intoxicating effects of alcohol while taking varenicline. Some reported neuropsychiatric events, including unusual and sometimes aggressive behavior [seeWarnings and Precautions (5.1) and (5.3)].

    There have been reports ofhypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

    There havealso been reports of serious skinreactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme, in patients taking varenicline [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

    There have been reports of myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) including ischemic and hemorrhagic events in patients taking varenicline. In the majority of the reported cases, patients had pre-existing cardiovascular disease and/or other risk factors. Although smoking is a risk factor for MI and CVA, based on temporal relationship between medication use and events, a contributory role of varenicline cannot be ruled out  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

    There have been reports of hyperglycemia in patients following initiation of varenicline.

    There have been reports ofsomnambulism, some resulting in harmful behaviorto self, others, or property in patients treated with varenicline [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Based on varenicline characteristics and clinical experience to date, varenicline has  no clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic drug interactions [see Clinical Pharmacology(12.3)].

    7.1 Use with Other Drugs for Smoking Cessation

    Safety and efficacy of varenicline in combination with other smoking cessation therapies have not been studied.

    Bupropion

    Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alterthe steady-state pharmacokinetics of bupropion (150 mg twice daily) in 46 smokers. The safety of the combination of bupropion and varenicline has not been established.

    Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

    Although co-administration of varenicline (1 mg twice daily) and transdermal nicotine (21 mg/day) for up to 12 days did not affect nicotine pharmacokinetics, the incidence of nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, dyspepsia, and fatigue was greater for the combination than for NRT alone. In this study, eight of twenty-two (36%) patients treated with the combination ofvarenicline and NRT prematurely discontinued treatment due to adverse events, compared to 1 of 17 (6%) of patients treated with NRT and placebo.

    7.2 Effect of Smoking Cessation on Other Drugs

    Physiological changes resulting from smoking cessation, with or without treatment with varenicline, may alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of certain drugs (e.g., theophylline, warfarin, insulin) for which dosage adjustment may be necessary.

  • 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

    8.1 Pregnancy

    Risk Summary

    Available data have not suggested an increased risk for major birth defects following exposure to varenicline in pregnancy, compared with women who smoke [see Data]. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks (see Clinical Considerations). In animal studies, varenicline did not result in major malformations but caused decreased fetal weights in rabbits when dosed during organogenesis at exposures equivalent to 50 times the exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). Additionally, administration of varenicline to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation produced developmental toxicity in offspring at maternal exposures equivalent to 36 times human exposure at the MRHD [see Data].

    The estimated background risk of oral clefts is increased by approximately 30% in infants of women who smoke during pregnancy, compared to pregnant women whodo not smoke. The background risk of other major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

    Clinical Considerations

    Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk

    Smoking during pregnancy causes increased risks of orofacial clefts, premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy, fetal growth restriction and low birth weight, stillbirth, preterm delivery and shortened gestation, neonatal death, sudden infant death syndrome and reduction of lung function in infants. It is not known whether quitting smoking with varenicline during pregnancy reduces these risks.

    Data

    Human Data

    A population-based observational cohort study using the national registers of Denmark and Sweden compared pregnancy and birth outcomes among women exposed to varenicline (N=335, includes 317 first trimester exposed) with women who smoked during pregnancy (N=78,412) and with non-smoking pregnant women (N=806,438).

    The prevalence of major malformations, the primary outcome, was similar in all groups, including between smoking and non-smoking groups. The prevalence of adverse perinatal outcomes in the varenicline-exposed cohort was not greater than in the cohort of women who smoked, and differed somewhat between the three cohorts. The prevalences of the primary and secondary outcomes are shown in Table 6.


    Table 6. Summary of Primary and Secondary Outcomes for Three Birth Cohorts  

     
    Outcome
    		Varenicline
    Cohort (n=335)
    		Smoking Cohort (n=78,412)
    		Non-Smoking
    Cohort (n=806,438)
    Major congenital
    		12 / 334 (3.6%)
    		3,382 / 78,028
    		33,950 /804,020
    malformation*
    		 
    		(4.3%)
    		(4.2%)
    Stillbirth
    		1 (0.3%)
    		384 (0.5%)
    		2,418 (0.3%)
    Small  for gestational age
    		42 (12.5%)
    		13,433 (17.1%)
    		73,135 (9.1%)
    Preterm birth
    		25 (7.5%)
    		6,173 (7.9%)
    		46,732 (5.8%)
    Premature rupture of
    membranes
    		12 (3.6%)
    		4,246 (5.4%)
    		30,641 (3.8%)
    Sudden infant death
    syndrome**
    		0/307 (0.0%)
    		51/71,720 (0.1%)
    		58/755,939 (<0.1%)

    *Included only live births in the cohorts. Prevalence among first trimester varenicline- exposed pregnancies (11/317 [3.5%]).

    **There was a lag in death data in Denmark, so the cohorts were smaller.

    The study limitations include the inability to capture malformations in pregnancies that do not result in a live birth, and possible misclassification of outcome and of exposure to varenicline or to smoking.

    Other small epidemiological studies of pregnant women exposed to varenicline did not identify an association with major malformations, consistent with the Danish and Swedish observational cohort study. Methodological limitations ofthese studies include small samples and lack ofadequate controls.

    Overall, available studies cannot definitely establish or exclude any varenicline-associated risk during pregnancy.

    Animal Data

    Pregnant rats and rabbits received varenicline succinate during organogenesis at oral doses up to 15 and 30 mg/kg/day, respectively. While no fetal structural abnormalities occurred in either species, maternal toxicity, characterized by reduced body weight gain, and reduced fetal weights occurred in rabbits at the highest dose (exposures 50 times the human exposure at the MRHD of 1 mg twice daily based on AUC). Fetal weight reduction did not occur in rabbits at exposures 23 times the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC.

    In a pre- and postnatal development study, pregnant rats received up to 15 mg/kg/day of oral varenicline succinate from organogenesis through lactation. Maternal toxicity, characterized by a decrease in body weight gain was observed at 15 mg/kg/day (36 times the human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC). However, decreased fertility and increased auditory startle response occurred in offspring at the highest maternal dose of 15 mg/kg/day. 

    8.2 Lactation

    Risk Summary

    There are no data on the presence of varenicline in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. In animal studies varenicline was present in milk of lactating rats [see Data]. However, due to species-specific differences in lactation physiology, animal data may not reliably predict drug levels in human milk. The lack of clinical data during lactation precludes a clear determination of the risk of varenicline to an infant during lactation; however the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for varenicline and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from varenicline or from the underlying maternal condition.

    Clinical Considerations

    Because there are no data on the presence of varenicline in human milk and the effects on the breastfed infant, breastfeeding women should monitor their infant for seizures and excessive vomiting, which are adverse reactions that have occurred in adults that may be clinically relevant in breastfeeding infants.

    Data

    In a pre- and postnatal development study, pregnant rats received up to 15 mg/kg/day of oral varenicline succinate through gestation and lactation Mean serum concentrations of varenicline in the nursing pups were 5-22% of maternal serum concentrations.

    8.4 Pediatric Use

    Varenicline is not recommended for use in pediatric patients 16 years of age or younger because its efficacy in this population was not demonstrated.

    Single and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of varenicline have been investigated in pediatric patients aged 12 to 17 years old (inclusive) and were approximately dose- proportional over the 0.5 mg to 2 mg daily dose range studied. Steady-state systemic exposure in adolescent patients of bodyweight >55 kg, as assessed by AUC (0-24), was comparable to that noted for the same doses in the adult population. When 0.5 mg BID was given, steady-state daily exposure of varenicline was, on average, higher (by approximately 40%) in adolescent patients with body weight ≤ 55 kg compared to that noted in the adult population.

    The efficacy and safety of varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 312 patients aged 12 to 19 years, who smoked an average of at least 5 cigarettes per day during the 30 days prior to recruitment, had a score of at least 4 on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scale, and at least one previous failed quit attempt. Patients were stratified by age (12 to 16 years of age, n=216 and 17 to 19 years of age, n=96) and by body weight (≤55 kg and >55 kg). Patients were randomized to one of two doses of varenicline, adjusted by weight to provide plasma levels in the efficacious range (based on adult studies) and placebo. Patients received treatment for 12 weeks, followed by a non-treatment period of 40 weeks, along with age-appropriate counseling throughout the study. Results from this study showed that varenicline, at either dose studied, did not improve continuous abstinence rates at weeks 9 through 12 of treatment compared with placebo in subjects 12 to 19 years of age. The varenicline safety profile in this study was consistent with that observed in adult studies.

    8.5 Geriatric Use

    A combined single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics of 1 mg varenicline given once daily or twice daily to 16 healthy elderly male and female smokers (aged 65 to 75 years) for 7 consecutive days was similar to that of younger subjects. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

    Varenicline is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

    No dosage adjustment is recommended for elderly patients.

    8.6 Renal Impairment

    Varenicline is substantially eliminated by renal glomerular filtration along with active tubular secretion. Dose reduction is not required in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. For patients with severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min), and for patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, dosage adjustment is needed [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

  • 9 DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

    9.1 Controlled Substance

    Varenicline is not a controlled substance.

    9.3 Dependence

    Humans

    Fewer than 1 out of 1,000 patients reported euphoria in clinical trials with varenicline. At higher doses (greater than 2 mg), varenicline produced more frequent reports of gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. There is no evidence of dose-escalation to maintain therapeutic effects in clinical studies, which suggests that tolerance does not develop. Abrupt discontinuation of varenicline was associated with an increase in irritability and sleep disturbances in up to 3% of patients. This suggests that, in some patients, varenicline may produce mild physical dependence which is not associated with addiction.

    In a human laboratory abuse liability study, a single oral dose of 1 mg varenicline did not produce any significant positive or negative subjective responses in smokers. In non-smokers, 1 mg varenicline produced an increase in some positive subjective effects, but this was accompanied by an increase in negative adverse effects, especially nausea. A single oral dose of 3 mg varenicline uniformly produced unpleasant subjective responses in both smokers and non-smokers.

    Animals

    Studies in rodents have shown that varenicline produces behavioral responses similar to those produced by nicotine. In rats trained to discriminate nicotine from saline, varenicline produced full generalization to the nicotine cue. In self-administration studies, the degree to which varenicline substitutes for nicotine is dependent upon the requirement of the task. Rats trained to self-administer nicotine under easy conditions continued to self-administer varenicline to a degree comparable to that of nicotine; however in a more demanding task, rats self-administered varenicline to a lesser extent than nicotine. Varenicline pretreatment also reduced nicotine self-administration.

  • 10 OVERDOSAGE

    In case ofoverdose, standard supportive measures should be instituted as required.

    Varenicline has been shown to be dialyzed in patients with end-stage renal disease  [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)], however, there is no experience in dialysis following overdose.

  • 11 DESCRIPTION

    vareniclinetablets-structure

    Varenicline tablets contain varenicline (as the tartrate salt), which is a partial nicotinic agonist selective for α 4β 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

    Varenicline, as the tartrate salt, is a powder which is a white to off-white to slightly yellow solid with the following chemical name: 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,10-methano-6Hpyrazino[2,3- h][3]benzazepine, (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1:1). It is highly soluble in water. Varenicline tartrate has a molecular weight of 361.35 Daltons, and a molecular formula of C 13H 13N 3∙C 4H 6O 6. The chemical structure is:

    Varenicline tablets are supplied for oral administration in two strengths: a 0.5 mg capsular, biconvex, white to off-white film-coated tablets, debossed with “0.5” on one side and plain on the other side and a 1 mg capsular, biconvex, light blue film-coated tablets, debossed with “1.0” on one side and plain on the other side. Each 0.5 mg varenicline tablet contains 0.85 mg of varenicline tartrate equivalent to 0.5 mg of varenicline free base; each 1 mg varenicline tablet contains 1.71 mg of varenicline tartrate equivalent to 1 mg of varenicline free base. The following inactive ingredients are included in the tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, purified water, magnesium stearate, The tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing hypromellose, triacetin, titanium dioxide. In addition to these, the 1 mg tablet film coating includes FD&C blue #2/ indigo carmine aluminum lake.

  • 12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

    12.1 Mechanism of Action

    Varenicline binds with high affinity and selectivity at α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The efficacy of varenicline in smoking cessation is believed to be the result of varenicline’s activity at α4β2 sub-type of the nicotinic receptor where its binding produces agonist activity, while simultaneously preventing nicotine binding to these receptors.

    Electrophysiology studies in vitro and neurochemical studies in vivo have shown that varenicline binds to α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and stimulates receptor-mediated activity, but at a significantly lower level than nicotine. Varenicline blocks the ability of nicotine to activate α4β2 receptors and thus to stimulate the central nervous mesolimbic dopamine system, believed to be the neuronal mechanism underlying reinforcement and reward experienced upon smoking. Varenicline is highly selective and binds more potently to α4β2 receptors than to other common nicotinic receptors (>500-fold α3β4, >3,500-fold α7, >20,000-fold α1βγδ), or to non-nicotinic receptors and transporters (>2,000-fold). Varenicline also binds with moderate affinity (Ki = 350 nM) to the 5-HT3 receptor.

    12.3 Pharmacokinetics

    Absorption

    Maximum plasma concentrations of varenicline occur typically within 3-4 hours after oral administration. Following administration of multiple oral doses of varenicline, steady-state conditions were reached within 4 days. Over the recommended dosing range, varenicline exhibits linear pharmacokinetics after single or repeated doses.

    In a mass balance study, absorption ofvarenicline was virtually complete after oral administration and systemic availability was ~90%.

    Food Effect

    Oral bioavailability of varenicline is unaffected by food or time-of-day dosing. 

      Distribution

    Plasma protein binding of varenicline is low (≤20%) and independent ofboth age and renal function.

    Elimination

    The elimination half-life of varenicline is approximately 24 hours.

    Metabolism

    Varenicline undergoes minimal metabolism, with 92% excreted unchanged in the urine.

    Excretion

    Renal elimination of varenicline is primarily through glomerular filtration along with active tubular secretion possibly via the organic cation transporter, OCT2.

    Specific Populations

    There are noclinically meaningful differences in varenicline pharmacokinetics due toage, race, gender, smoking status, or use of concomitant medications, as demonstrated in specific pharmacokinetic studies and in population pharmacokinetic analyses.

    Age: Geriatric Patients

    A combined single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics of 1 mg varenicline given once daily or twice daily to 16 healthy elderly male and female smokers (aged 65 to 75 years) for 7 consecutive days was similar to that of younger subjects.

    Age: Pediatric Patients

    Varenicline is not recommended for use in pediatric patients 16 years of age or younger because its efficacy in this population was not demonstrated [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

    Renal Impairment

    Varenicline pharmacokinetics were unchanged in subjects with mild renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance >50 mL/min and ≤80 mL/min). In subjects with moderate renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min and ≤50 mL/min), varenicline exposure increased 1.5-fold compared with subjects with normal renal function (estimated creatinine clearance >80 mL/min). In subjects with severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min), varenicline exposure was increased 2.1-fold. In subjects with end-stage-renal disease (ESRD) undergoing a three- hour session of hemodialysis for three days a week, varenicline exposure was increased 2.7-fold following 0.5 mg once daily administration for 12 days. The plasma C maxand AUC of varenicline noted in this setting were similar to those of healthy subjects receiving 1 mg twice daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.6)]. Additionally, in subjects with ESRD, varenicline was efficiently removed by hemodialysis [see Overdosage (10)].

    Hepatic Impairment

    Due to the absence of significant hepatic metabolism, varenicline pharmacokinetics should be unaffected in patients with hepatic impairment.

    Drug-Drug Interactions

    In vitrostudies demonstrated that varenicline does not inhibit the following cytochrome  P450 enzymes (IC50 >6400 ng/mL): 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5. Also, in human hepatocytes  in vitro, varenicline does not induce the cytochrome P450 enzymes 1A2 and 3A4.

    In vitrostudies demonstrated that varenicline does not inhibit human renal transport  proteins at therapeutic concentrations. Therefore, drugs that are cleared by renal secretion (e.g., metformin  [see below]) are unlikely to be affected by varenicline.

    In vitro studies demonstrated the active renal secretion of varenicline is mediated by the human organic cation transporter OCT2. Co-administration with inhibitors of OCT2 (e.g., cimeditine [see below]) may not necessitate a dose adjustment of varenicline as the increase in systemic exposure to varenicline is not expected to be clinically meaningful. Furthermore, since metabolism of varenicline represents less than 10% of its clearance, drugs known to affect the cytochrome P450 system are unlikely to alter the pharmacokinetics of varenicline [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]; therefore, a dose adjustment of varenicline would not be required.

    Drug interaction studies were performed with varenicline and digoxin, warfarin, transdermal nicotine, bupropion, cimetidine, and metformin. Noclinically meaningful pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions have been identified.

    Metformin

    When co-administered to 30 smokers, varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of metformin (500 mg twice daily), which is a substrate of OCT2. Metformin had no effect on varenicline steady-state pharmacokinetics.

    Cimetidine

    Co-administration of an OCT2 inhibitor, cimetidine (300 mg four times daily), with varenicline (2 mg single dose) to 12 smokers increased the systemic exposure of varenicline by 29% (90% CI: 21.5%, 36.9%) due to a reduction in varenicline renal clearance.

    Digoxin

    Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alterthe steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin  administered as a 0.25 mg daily dose in 18 smokers.

    Warfarin

    Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alter the pharmacokinetics of a single 25 mg dose of (R, S)-warfarin in 24 smokers. Prothrombin time (INR) was not affected by varenicline. Smoking cessation itself may result in changes to warfarin pharmacokinetics  [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

    Use with OtherDrugs forSmoking Cessation

    Bupropion: Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of bupropion (150 mg twice daily) in 46 smokers  [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

    NRT: Although co-administration of varenicline (1 mg twice daily) and transdermal nicotine (21 mg/day) for up to 12 days did not affect nicotine pharmacokinetics, the incidence of adverse reactions was greater forthe combination than for NRT alone  [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].


  • 13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

    13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

    Carcinogenesis

    Lifetime carcinogenicity studies were performed in CD-1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. There was no evidence of a carcinogenic effect in mice administered varenicline by oral gavage for 2 years at doses up to 20 mg/kg/day (47 times the maximum recommended human daily (MRHD) exposure based on AUC). Rats were administered varenicline (1, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 2 years. In male rats (n = 65 per sex per dose group), incidences of hibernoma (tumor of the brown fat) were increased at the mid dose (1 tumor, 5 mg/kg/day, 23 times the MRHD exposure based on AUC) and maximum dose (2 tumors, 15 mg/kg/day, 67 times the MRHD exposure based on AUC). The clinical relevance of this finding to humans has not been established. There was no evidence of carcinogenicity in female rats.

    Mutagenesis

    Varenicline was not genotoxic, with or without metabolic activation, in the following assays: Ames bacterial mutation assay; mammalian CHO/HGPRT assay; and tests for cytogenetic aberrations in vivo in rat bone marrow and in vitro in human lymphocytes.

    Impairment of Fertility

    There was no evidence of impairment of fertility in either male or female Sprague-Dawley  rats administered varenicline succinate up to 15 mg/kg/day (67 and 36 times, respectively, the MRHD exposure based on AUC at 1 mg twice daily). Maternal toxicity, characterized by a decrease in body weight gain, was observed at 15 mg/kg/day.

    However, a decrease in fertility was noted in the offspring of pregnant rats who were administered varenicline succinate at an oral dose of 15 mg/kg/day. This decrease in fertility in the offspring of treated female rats was not evident at an oral dose of 3 mg/kg/day (9 times the MRHD exposure based on AUC at 1 mg twice daily).

  • 14 CLINICAL STUDIES

    The efficacy of varenicline in smoking cessation was demonstrated in six clinical trials in which a total of 3659 chronic cigarette smokers (≥10 cigarettes per day) were treated with varenicline. In all clinical studies, abstinence from smoking was determined by patient self-report and verified by measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO≤10 ppm) at weekly visits. Among the varenicline-treated patients enrolled in these studies, the completion rate was 65%. Except for the dose-ranging study (Study 1) and the maintenance of abstinence study (Study 6), patients were treated for 12 weeks and then were followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Most patients enrolled in these trials were white (79-96%). All studies enrolled almost equal numbers of men and women. The average age of patients in these studies was 43 years. Patients on average had smoked about 21 cigarettes per day for an average of approximately 25 years. Patients set a date to stop smoking (target quit date) with dosing starting 1 week before this date.

    Seven additional studies evaluated the efficacy of varenicline in patients with cardiovascular disease, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [see Clinical Studies (14.7)], in patients instructed to select their quit date within days 8 and 35 of treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.4)], patients with major depressive disorder [see Clinical Studies (14.9)], patients who had made a previous attempt to quit smoking with varenicline, and either did not succeed in quitting or relapsed after treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.6)], in patients without or with a history of psychiatric disorder enrolled in a postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome trial [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Clinical Studies (14.10)], and in patients who were not able or willing to quit abruptly and were instructed to quit gradually [see Clinical studies (14.5)].

    In all studies, patients were provided with an educational booklet on smoking cessation and received up to 10 minutes of smoking cessation counseling at each weekly treatment visit according to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality guidelines.

    14.1 Initiation of Abstinence

    vareniclinetablets-figure1Study 1

    This was a six-week dose-ranging study comparing varenicline to placebo. This study provided initial evidence that varenicline at a total dose of 1 mg per day or 2 mg per day was effective as an aid to smoking cessation.

    Study 2

    This study of 627 patients compared varenicline 1 mg per day and 2 mg per day with placebo. Patients were treated for 12 weeks (including one-week titration) and then were followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Varenicline was given in two divided doses daily.

    Each dose of varenicline was given in two different regimens, with and without initial dose-titration, to explorethe effect of different dosing regimens on tolerability. For the titrated groups, dosage was titrated up over the course of one week, with full dosage achieved starting with the second week of dosing. The titrated and nontitrated groups were pooled for efficacy analysis. Forty-five percent of patients receiving varenicline 1 mg per day (0.5 mg twice daily) and 51% of patients receiving 2 mg per day (1 mg twice daily) had CO-confirmed continuous abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 compared to 12% of patients in the placebo group (Figure 1). In addition, 31% of the 1 mg per day group and 31% of the 2 mg per day group were continuously abstinent from one week after TQD through the end of treatment as compared to 8% of the placebo group.

    Study 3

    This flexible-dosing study of 312 patients examined the effect of a patient-directed dosing strategy of varenicline or placebo. After an initial one-week titration to a dose of 0.5 mg twice daily, patients could adjust their dosage as often as they wished between 0.5 mg once daily to 1 mg twice daily per day. Sixty-nine percent of patients titrated to the maximum allowable dose at any time during the study. For 44% of patients, the modal dose selected was 1 mg twice daily; for slightly over half of the study participants, the modal dose selected was 1 mg/day or less.

    Of the patients treated with varenicline, 40% had CO-confirmed continuous abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 compared to 12% in the placebo group. In addition, 29% of the varenicline group were continuously abstinent from one week after TQD through the end of treatment as compared to 9% of the placebo group.

    Study 4 and Study 5

    These identical double-blind studies compared varenicline 2 mg per day, bupropion sustained-release (SR) 150 mg twice daily, and placebo. Patients were treated for 12 weeks and then were followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. The varenicline dosage of 1 mg twice daily was achieved using a titration of 0.5 mg once daily for the initial 3 days followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for the next 4 days. The bupropion SR dosage of 150 mg twice daily was achieved using a 3-day titration of 150 mg once daily. Study 4 enrolled 1022 patients and Study 5 enrolled 1023 patients. Patients inappropriate for bupropion treatment or patients who had previously used bupropion were excluded.

    In Study 4, patients treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (44%) compared to patients treated with bupropion SR (30%) or placebo (17%). The bupropion SR quit rate was also superior to placebo. In addition, 29% of the varenicline group were continuously abstinent from one week after TQD through the end of treatment as compared to 12% of the placebo group and 23% of the bupropion SR group.

    Similarly in Study 5, patients treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (44%) compared to patients treated with bupropion SR (30%) or placebo (18%). The bupropion SR quit rate was also superior to placebo. In addition, 29% of the varenicline group were continuously abstinent from one week after TQD through the end of treatment as compared to 11% of the placebo group and 21% of the bupropion SR group.

    Figure 1: Continuous Abstinence, Weeks 9 through 12

    Table 7. Continuous Abstinence, Weeks 9 through 12 (95% confidence interval

    Varenicline
    0.5 mg BID    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID    		Varenicline
    Flexible    		BupropionSRPlacebo
    Study 245%
    (39%, 51%)     		51%
    (44%, 57%)     		12%
    (6%, 18%)
    Study 340%
    (32%, 48%)     		12%
    (7%, 17%)
    Study 444%
    (38%, 49%)     		30%
    (25%, 35%)     		17%
    (13%, 22%)
    Study 544%
    (38%, 49%)     		30%
    (25%, 35%)     		18%
    (14%, 22%)

    BID = twice daily

    14.2 Urge to Smoke

    Based on responses to the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges and the Minnesota  Nicotine Withdrawal scale “urge to smoke” item, varenicline reduced urge to smoke compared to placebo.

    14.3 Long-Term Abstinence

    vareniclinetablets-figure3vareniclinetablets-figure2Studies 1 through 5 included 40 weeks of post-treatment follow-up. In each study, varenicline-treated patients were more likely to maintain abstinence throughout the follow-up period than were patients treated with placebo(Figure 2, Table 8).

    Figure 2. Continuous Abstinence, Weeks 9 through 52

    Table 8. Continuous Abstinence, Weeks 9 through 52 (95% confidence interval) Across Different Studies

    Varenicline
    0.5 mg BID    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID    		Varenicline
    Flexible    		BupropionSRPlacebo
    Study 219%
    (14%, 24%)     		23%
    (18%, 28%)     		4%
    (1%, 8%)
    Study 322%
    (16%, 29%)     		8%
    (3%, 12%)
    Study 421%
    (17%, 26%)     		16%
    (12%, 20%)     		8%
    (5%, 11%)
    Study 522%
    (17%, 26%)     		14%
    (11%, 18%)     		10%
    (7%, 13%)

    BID = twice daily

    Study 6

    This study assessed the effect of an additional 12 weeks of varenicline therapy on the likelihood of long-term abstinence. Patients in this study (N=1927) were treated with open-label varenicline 1 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. Patients who had stopped smoking for at least a week by Week 12 (N= 1210) were then randomized to double-blind treatment with varenicline (1 mg twice daily) or placebo for an additional 12 weeks and then followed for 28 weeks post-treatment.

    The continuous abstinence rate from Week 13 through Week 24 was higher for patients continuing treatment with varenicline (70%) than for patients switching to placebo (50%). Superiority to placebo was also maintained during 28 weeks post-treatment follow-up (varenicline 54% versus placebo 39%).

    In Figure 3 below, the x-axis represents the study week for each observation, allowing a comparison of groups at similar times after discontinuation of varenicline; post- varenicline follow-up begins at Week 13 for the placebo group and Week 25 for the varenicline group. The y-axis represents the percentage of patients who had been abstinent for the last week of varenicline treatment and remained abstinent at the given time point.

    Figure 3. Continuous Abstinence Rate during Nontreatment Follow-Up

    14.4 Alternative Instructions for Setting a Quit Date

    Varenicline was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where patients were instructed to select a target quit date between Day 8 and Day 35 of treatment. Subjects were randomized 3:1 to varenicline 1 mg twice daily (N=486) or placebo (N=165) for 12 weeks of treatment and followed for another 12 weeks post-treatment. Patients treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (54%) compared to patients treated with placebo (19%) and from weeks 9 through 24 (35%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (13%).

    14.5 Gradual Approach to Quitting Smoking

    Varenicline was evaluated in a 52-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of 1,510 subjects who were not able or willing to quit smoking within four weeks, but were willing  to gradually reduce their smoking over a 12 week period before quitting. Subjects were  randomized to either varenicline 1 mg twice daily (N=760) or placebo (N=750) for 24 weeks and followed up post-treatment through week 52. Subjects were instructed to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by at least 50 percent by the end of the first four weeks of treatment, followed by a further 50 percent reduction from week four to week eight of treatment, with the goal of reaching complete abstinence by 12 weeks.

    After the initial 12-week reduction phase, subjects continued treatment for another 12 weeks. Subjects treated with varenicline had a significantly higher Continuous Abstinence  Rate compared with placebo at weeks 15 through 24 (32% vs. 7%) and weeks 15 through 52 (24% vs. 6%).

    14.6 Re-Treatment Study

    Varenicline was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of patients who had made a previous attempt to quit smoking with varenicline, and either did not succeed in quitting or relapsed after treatment. Subjects were randomized 1:1 to varenicline 1 mg  twice daily (N=249) or placebo (N=245) for 12 weeks of treatment and followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Patients included in this study had taken varenicline for a smoking-cessation attempt in the past (for a total treatment duration of a minimum of two weeks), at least three months prior to study entry, and had been smoking for at least four weeks.

    Patients treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during  weeks 9 through 12 (45%) compared to patients treated with placebo (12%) and from weeks 9 through 52 (20%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (3%).


    Table 9. Continuous Abstinence (95% confidence interval), Re-Treatment Study

     
    		Weeks 9 through 12
    		Weeks 9 through 52
     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    Retreatment
    Study
    		45%
    (39%, 51%)
    		12%
    (8%, 16%)
    		20%
    (15%, 25%)
    		3%
    (1%, 5%)

    BID = twice daily


    14.7 Subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of subjects aged ≥ 35 years with mild-to-moderate COPD with post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <70% and FEV1 ≥ 50% of predicted normal value. Subjects were randomized to varenicline 1 mg twice daily (N=223) or placebo (N=237) fora treatment of12 weeks and then were followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Subjects treated with vareniclinehad a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (41%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (9%) and from week 9 through 52 (19%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (6%).


    Table 10. Continuous Abstinence (95% confidence interval), Studies in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

     
    		Weeks 9 through 12
    		Weeks 9 through 52
     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    COPD Study
    		41%
    (34%, 47%)
    		9%
    (6%, 13%)
    		19%
    (14%, 24%)
    		6%
    (3%, 9%)

    BID = twice daily

    14.8 Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease and Other Cardiovascular Analyses

    Varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of subjects aged 35 to 75 years with stable, documented cardiovascular disease (diagnoses other than, or in addition to, hypertension) that had been diagnosed for more than 2 months. Subjects were randomized to varenicline 1 mg twice daily (N=353) or placebo (N=350) for a treatment period of 12 weeks and then were followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Subjects treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO- confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (47%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (14%) and from week 9 through 52 (20%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (7%).


    Table 11. Continuous Abstinence (95% confidence interval), Studies in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

     
    		Weeks 9 through 12
    		Weeks 9 through 52
     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    CVD Study
    		47%
    (42%, 53%)
    		14%
    (11%, 18%)
    		20%
    (16%, 24%)
    		7%
    (5%, 10%)

    BID = twice daily

    In this study, all-cause and CV mortality was lower in patients treated with varenicline, but certain nonfatal CV events occurred more frequently in patients treated with varenicline than in patients treated with placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Table 12 below shows mortality and the incidence of selected nonfatal serious CV events occurring more frequently in the varenicline arm compared to the placebo arm. These events were adjudicated by an independent blinded committee. Nonfatal serious CV events not listed occurred at the same incidence or more commonly in the placebo arm. Patients with more than one CV event of the same type are counted only once per row. Some of the patients requiring coronary revascularization underwent the procedure as part of management of nonfatal MI and hospitalization for angina.


    Table 12. Mortality and Adjudicated Nonfatal Serious Cardiovascular Events in the Placebo-Controlled Varenicline Trial in Patients with Stable Cardiovascular Disease

     
    Mortality and CardiovascularEvents
    		Varenicline (N=353)
    n (%)
    		Placebo (N=350)
    n (%)
    Mortality (Cardiovascular and All-cause up to 52 weeks)
    Cardiovascular
    		1 (0.3)
    		2 (0.6)
    All-cause
    		2 (0.6)
    		5 (1.4)
    Nonfatal Cardiovascular Events (rate on varenicline > Placebo)
    Up to 30 days after treatment
    		 
    		 
    Nonfatal myocardial infarction
    		4 (1.1)
    		1 (0.3)
    Nonfatal Stroke
    		2 (0.6)
    		0 (0)
    Beyond 30 days after treatment and upto 52 weeks
    		 
    		 
    Nonfatal myocardial infarction
    		3 (0.8)
    		2 (0.6)
    Need for coronary revascularization
    		7 (2.0)
    		2 (0.6)
    Hospitalization for angina pectoris
    		6 (1.7)
    		4 (1.1)
    Transient ischemia attack
    		1 (0.3)
    		0 (0)
    New diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or
    admission for a PVD procedure
    		5 (1.4)
    		2 (0.6)

    Following the CVD study, a meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials of ≥12 weeks treatment duration, including 7002 patients (4190 varenicline, 2812 placebo), was conducted to systematically assess the CV safety of varenicline. The study in patients with stable CV disease described above was included in the meta-analysis. There were lower rates all-cause mortality (varenicline 6 [0.14%]; placebo 7 [0.25%]) and CV mortality (varenicline 2 [0.05%]; placebo 2 [0.07%]) in the varenicline arms compared with the placebo arms in the meta-analysis.

    The key CV safety analysis included occurrence and timing of a composite endpoint of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), defined as CV death, nonfatal MI, and nonfatal stroke. These events included in the endpoint were adjudicated by a blinded, independent committee. Overall, a small number of MACE occurred in the trials included in the meta-analysis, as described in Table 13. These events occurred primarily in patients with known CV disease.


    Table 13. Number of MACE cases, Hazard Ratio and Rate Difference in a Meta-Analysis of 15 Clinical Trials Comparing Varenicline to Placebo*

     
    		Varenicline
    N=4190
    		Placebo
    N=2812
    MACE cases, n (%)
    		13 (0.31%)
    		6 (0.21%)
    Patient-years of exposure
    		1316
    		839
    Hazard Ratio (95% CI)
     
    		1.95 (0.79, 4.82)
    		 
    Rate Difference per 1,000 patient-years (95% CI)
     
    		6.30 (-2.40, 15.10)
    		 

    *Includes MACE occurring up to 30 days post-treatment.

    The meta-analysis showed that exposure to varenicline resulted in a hazard ratio for MACE of 1.95 (95% confidence interval from 0.79 to 4.82) for patients up to 30 days after treatment; this is equivalent to an estimated increase of 6.3 MACE events per 1,000 patient-years of exposure. The meta-analysis showed higher rates of CV endpoints in patients on varenicline relative to placebo across different time frames and  pre-specified sensitivity analyses, including various study groupings and CV outcomes. Although these findings were not statistically significant they were consistent. Because the number of events was small overall, the power for finding a statistically significant difference in a signal of this magnitude is low.

    Additionally, a cardiovascular endpoint analysis was added to the postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome study along with a non-treatment extension,  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Studies (14.10)].

     

    14.9 Subjects with Major Depressive Disorder

    Varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of subjects aged 18 to 75 years with major depressive disorder without psychotic features (DSM-IV TR). If on medication, subjects were to be on a stable antidepressant regimen for at least two months. If not on medication, subjects were to have experienced a major depressive episode in the past 2 years, which was successfully treated. Subjects were randomized to varenicline 1 mg twice daily (N=256) or placebo (N=269) for a treatment of 12 weeks and then followed for 40 weeks post-treatment. Subjects treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 (36%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (16%) and from week 9 through 52 (20%) compared to subjects treated with placebo (10%).


    Table 14. Continuous Abstinence (95% confidence interval), Study in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

     
    		Weeks 9 through 12
    		Weeks 9 through 52
     
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    		Varenicline
    1 mg BID
    		Placebo
    MDD Study
    		36%
    (30%, 42%)
    		16%
    (11%, 20%)
    		20%
    (15%, 25%)
    		10%
    (7%, 14%)

    BID = twice daily


    14.10 Postmarketing Neuropsychiatric Safety Outcome Trial

    Varenicline was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, active and placebo-controlled trial that included subjects without a history of psychiatric disorder (non-psychiatric cohort, N=3912) and with a history of psychiatric disorder (psychiatric cohort, N=4003). Subjects aged 18-75 years, smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day wererandomized 1:1:1:1 to varenicline 1 mg BID, bupropion SR 150 mg BID, NRT patch 21 mg/day with taper or placebo for a treatment period of 12 weeks; they were then followed for another 12 weeks post-treatment. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

    A composite safety endpoint intended to capture clinically significant neuropsychiatric (NPS) adverse events included the following NPS adverse events: anxiety, depression, feeling abnormal, hostility, agitation, aggression, delusions, hallucinations, homicidal ideation, mania, panic, paranoia, psychosis, irritability, suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior or completed suicide.

    As shown in Table 15, the use of varenicline, bupropion, and NRT in the non-psychiatric cohort was not associated with an increased risk of clinically significant NPS adverse events compared with placebo. Similarly, in the non-psychiatric cohort, the use of varenicline was not associated with an increased risk of clinically significant NPS adverse events in the composite safety endpoint compared with bupropion or NRT.


    Table 15. Number of Patients with Clinically Significant or Serious NPS Adverse Events by Treatment Group Among Patients without a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline
    (N=975) n (%)
    		Bupropion
    (N=968) n (%)
    		NRT
    (N=987) n (%)
    		Placebo
    (N=982) n (%)
    Clinically Significant
    NPS
    		30 (3.1)
    		34 (3.5)
    		33 (3.3)
    		40 (4.1)
    Serious NPS
    		1 (0.1)
    		5 (0.5)
    		1 (0.1)
    		4 (0.4)
    Psychiatric
    Hospitalizations
    		1 (0.1)
    		2 (0.2)
    		0 (0.0)
    		1 (0.1)

     

    As shown in Table 16, there were more clinically significant NPS adverse events reported in patients in the psychiatric cohort in each treatment group compared with the non- psychiatric cohort. The incidence of events in the composite endpoint was higher for each of the active treatments compared to placebo: Risk Differences (RDs) (95%CI) vs placebo were 2.7% (-0.05, 5.4) forvarenicline, 2.2% (-0.5, 4.9) for bupropion, and 0.4% (-2.2, 3.0) for NRT transdermal nicotine.


    Table 16. Number of Patients with Clinically Significant or Serious NPS Adverse Events by Treatment Group Among Patients with a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline (N=1007)
    n(%)
    		Bupropion (N=1004)
    n(%)
    		NRT (N=995)
    n(%)
    		Placebo(N=997)
    n(%)
    Clinically Significant NPS
    		123 (12.2)
    		118 (11.8)
    		98 (9.8)
    		95 (9.5)
    Serious NPS
    		6 (0.6)
    		8 (0.8)
    		4 (0.4)
    		6 (0.6)
    Psychiatric hospitalizations
    		5 (0.5)
    		8 (0.8)
    		4 (0.4)
    		2 (0.2)

    There was one completed suicide, which occurred during treatment in a patient treated with placebo in the non-psychiatric cohort. There were no completed suicides reported in the psychiatric cohort.

    In both cohorts, subjects treated with varenicline had a superior rate of CO-confirmed abstinence during weeks 9 through 12 and 9 through 24 compared to subjects treated with bupropion, nicotine patch and placebo.


    Table 17. Continuous Abstinence (95% confidence interval), Study in Patients with or without a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline 1 mg BID
    		BupropionSR 150 mg BID
    		NRT
    21 mg/day with taper
    		 
    Placebo
    Weeks 9 through 12
    Non-
    		38%
    		26%
    		26%
    		14%
    Psychiatric
    		(35%, 41%)
    		(23%, 29%)
    		(24%, 29%)
    		(12%, 16%)
    Cohort
    		 
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Psychiatric
    		29%
    		19%
    		20%
    		11%
    Cohort
    		(26%, 32%)
    		(17%, 22%)
    		(18%, 23%)
    		(10%, 14%)
    Weeks 9 through 24
    Non-
    		25%
    		19%
    		18%
    		11%
    Psychiatric
    		(23%, 28%)
    		(16%, 21%)
    		(16%, 21%)
    		(9%, 13%)
    Cohort
    		 
    		 
    		 
    		 
    Psychiatric
    		18%
    		14%
    		13%
    		8%
    Cohort
    		(16%, 21%)
    		(12%, 16%)
    		(11%, 15%)
    		(7%, 10%)

    BID = twice daily

    Cardiovascular Outcome Analysis

    To obtain another source of data regarding the CV risk of varenicline, a cardiovascular endpoint analysis was added to the postmarketing neuropsychiatric safety outcome study along with a non-treatment extension. In the parent study (N=8027), subjects aged 18 to 75 years, smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day were randomized 1:1:1:1 to varenicline 1 mg BID, bupropion SR 150 mg BID, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patch 21 mg/day or placebo for a treatment period of 12 weeks; they were then followed for another 12 weeks post-treatment. The extension study enrolled 4590 (57.2%) of the 8027 subjects who were randomized and treated in the parent study and followed them for additional 28 weeks. Of all treated subjects, 1743 (21.7%) had a medium CV risk and 640 (8.0%) had a high CV risk, as defined by Framingham score.

    Note that one site from the parent study was excluded in the assessment of CV safety and two sites were excluded in the assessment of neuropsychiatric safety.

    The primary CV endpoint was the time to major adverse CV event (MACE), defined as CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke during treatment. Deaths and CV events were adjudicated by a blinded, independent committee. Table 18 below shows the incidence of MACE and Hazard Ratios compared to placebo for all randomized subjects exposed to at least 1 partial dose of study treatment in the parent study.


    Table 18. The Incidence of MACE and Hazard Ratios in the Cardiovascular Safety Assessment Trial in Subjects without or with a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline
    		Bupropion
    		NRT
    		Placebo
     
    		N=2006
    		N=1997
    		N=2017
    		N=2007
    During treatment*
    MACE, n [IR]
    		1 [2.4]
    		2 [4.9]
    		1 [2.4]
    		4 [9.8]
    Hazard Ratio (95% CI) vs.
    placebo
    		0.24
    (0.03, 2.18)
    		0.49
    (0.09, 2.69)
    		0.24
    (0.03, 2.18)
    		 
    Through end of study**
    MACE, n [IR]
    		3 [2.1]
    		9 [6.3]
    		6 [4.3]
    		8 [5.7]
    Hazard Ratio (95% CI) vs.
    placebo
    		0.36
    (0.10, 1.36)
    		1.09
    (0.42, 2.83)
    		0.74
    (0.26, 2.13)
    		 

    [IR] indicates incidence rate per 1000 person-years

    *during treatment in the parent neuropsychiatric safety study

    **either the end of the extension study or the end of parent neuropsychiatric safety study

    for those subjects not enrolled into the extension study

    For this study, MACE+ was defined as any MACE or a new onset or worsening peripheral vascular disease (PVD) requiring intervention, a need for coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Incidence rates of MACE+ and all-cause mortality for all  randomized subjects exposed to at least 1 partial dose of study treatment in the parent study are shown for all treatment groups during treatment, and through end of study in the Table 19 below.


    Table 19. The Incidence of MACE+ and All-Cause Death in the Cardiovascular Safety Assessment Trial in Subjects without or with a History of Psychiatric Disorder

     
    		Varenicline
    N=2006
    		Bupropion
    N=1997
    		NRT N=2017
    		Placebo
    N=2007
    During treatment*
    MACE+, n [IR]
    		5 [12.1]
    		4 [9.9]
    		2 [4.8]
    		5 [12.2]
    All-cause deaths, n [IR]
    		0
    		2 [4.9]
    		0
    		2 [4.9]
    Through end of study**
    MACE+, n [IR]
    		10 [6.9]
    		15 [10.5]
    		10 [7.1]
    		12 [8.6]
    All-cause deaths, n [IR]
    		2 [1.4]
    		4 [2.8]
    		3 [2.1]
    		4 [2.9]

    [IR] indicates incidence rate per 1000 person-years

    *during treatment in the parent neuropsychiatric safety study

    **either the end of the extension study or the end of the parent neuropsychiatric safety study

    for those subjects not enrolled into the extension study

    The number of subjects who experienced MACE, MACE+ and all-cause death was similar or lower among patients treated with varenicline than patients treated with placebo. The number of events observed overall  was too low to distinguish meaningful differences between the treatment arms.  

  • 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

    Varenicline tablets are supplied for oral administration in two strengths: a 0.5 mg capsular, biconvex, white to off-white film-coated tablets, debossed with “0.5” on one side and plain on the other side and a 1 mg capsular, biconvex, light blue film-coated tablets, debossed with “1.0” on one side and plain on the other side.

    Varenicline tablets are supplied in the following package configurations: 

     
    		Description
    		NDC
    Bottles
    		0.5 mg - bottle of 56
    		NDC: 82582-485-56
     
    		1 mg - bottle of 56
    		NDC: 82582-481-56

    Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F)  [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].


  • 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

    See  FDA-approved  patient  labeling  (Medication  Guide)

    Initiate  Treatment  and  Continue  to  Attempt  to  Quit  if  Lapse

    Instruct  patients  to  set  a  date  to  quit  smoking  and  to  initiate  varenicline  treatment  one  week before the quit date. Alternatively, the patient can begin varenicline dosing and then  set a  date  to  quit smoking  between  days  8  and  35  of  treatment.  Encourage  patients to continue to attempt to quit if they have early lapses after quit day  [see  Dosage  and  Administration (2.1)].

    For patients who are sure that they are not able or willing to quit abruptly, a gradual  approach to quitting smoking with varenicline may be considered. Patients should begin  varenicline  dosing  and  reduce  smoking  during  the  first  12 weeks  of  treatment,  then  quit  by the end of that period and continue treatment for an additional 12 weeks for a total  of  24  weeks   [see  Dosage  and  Administration  (2.1)].

    Encourage  patients  who  are  motivated  to  quit  and  who  did  not  succeed  in  stopping  smoking  during  prior  varenicline  therapy  for reasons  other  than intolerability  due  to  adverse events, or who relapsed after treatment to make another attempt with  varenicline once factors contributing to the failed attempt have been identified and addressed   [see  Dosage  and  Administration (2.1), Clinical  Studies (14.6)].

    How  to  Take

    Advise  patients  that varenicline  should  be  taken orally  after eating,  and with a full glass  of  water   [see  Dosage  and  Administration (2.1)].

    Starting  Week  Dosage

    Instruct patients on how to titrate varenicline tablets, beginning at a dose of 0.5 mg/day. Explain that one 0.5 mg tablet should be taken daily for the first three days, and that for the next four days, one 0.5 mg tablet should be taken in the morning and one 0.5 mg tablet should be taken in the evening [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

    Continuing Weeks  Dosage

    Advise  patients  that,  after the  first  seven  days,  the  dose  should  be  increased  to  one  1  mg tablet in the morning and one 1 mg tablet in the evening  [see Dosage and  Administration (2.1)].

    Dosage  Adjustment  for Varenicline  or Other Drugs

    Inform  patients  that  nausea  and  insomnia  are  side  effects  of  varenicline  and  are  usually  transient; however, advise patients that if they are persistently troubled by these  symptoms,  they  should  notify  the  prescribing  physician  so  that  a  dose  reduction  can  be  considered.

    Inform  patients  that  some  drugs  may  require  dose  adjustment  after  quitting smoking  [see  Dosage  and  Administration (2.1)].

    Counseling  and  Support

    Provide  patients  with  educational  materials  and  necessary  counseling  to  support an  attempt  at  quitting  smoking

      [see  Dosage  and  Administration (2.1)].

    Neuropsychiatric  Adverse  Events

    Inform patients that some patients have experienced changes in mood (including depression and mania), psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, homicidal ideation, aggression, hostility, agitation, anxiety, and panic, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide when attempting to quit smoking while taking varenicline. Instruct patients to discontinue varenicline and contact a healthcare professional if they experience such symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

    History  of  Psychiatric  Illness

    Encourage  patients  to  reveal  any  history  of  psychiatric  illness  prior  to  initiating  treatment.

    Nicotine  Withdrawal

    Inform patients that quitting smoking, with or without varenicline, may be associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms (including depression or agitation) or exacerbation of preexisting psychiatric illness.

    Seizures

    Encourage patients to report any history of seizures or other factors that can lower  seizure threshold. Instruct patients to discontinue varenicline and contact a healthcare  provider  immediately  if they  experience  a  seizure  while  on  treatment   [see  Warnings  and Precautions (5.2)].

      Interaction  with  Alcohol

    Advise patients to reduce the amount of alcohol they consume while taking varenicline until they know whether varenicline affects their tolerance for alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. 

    Driving  or  Operating  Machinery

    Advise patients to use caution driving or operating machinery until they know how quitting smoking and/or varenicline may affect them [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

    Cardiovascular  Events

    Patients should be instructed to notify their healthcare providers of symptoms of new or worsening cardiovascular events and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction or stroke [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. 

    Somnambulism

    Patients should be instructed to discontinue varenicline and notify their healthcare providers if they experience somnambulism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

    Angioedema

    Inform patients that there have been reports of angioedema, with swelling of the face, mouth (lip, gum, tongue) and neck (larynx and pharynx) that can lead to life-threatening respiratory compromise. Instruct patients to discontinue varenicline and immediately seek medical care if they experience these symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7), Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

    Serious  Skin  Reactions

    Inform patients that serious skin reactions, such as StevensJohnson syndrome and erythema multiforme, were reported by some patients taking 

    varenicline. Advise patients to stop taking varenicline at the first sign of rash with mucosal lesions or skin reaction and contact a healthcare provider immediately [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8), Adverse Reactions(6.2)].

    Vivid,  Unusual,  or  Strange  Dreams

    Inform  patients  that  they  may  experience  vivid,  unusual  or strange  dreams  during  treatment  with  varenicline.

    Pregnancy  and  Lactation

    Patients  who  are  pregnant  or breastfeeding  or planning  to become  pregnant  should  be  advised of: the risks of smoking to a pregnant mother and her developing baby, the  potential risks of varenicline use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the benefits  of smoking cessation with and without varenicline. Advise breastfeeding women to  monitor the infant for seizures and vomiting  [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 and  8.2)].

    Chantix is a registered trade mark of Pfizer Inc.

    17.2 FDA-Approved Patient Labeling with content

    .

  • SPL MEDGUIDE SECTION



    MEDICATION GUIDE
    Varenicline Tablets
    (var EN i kleen) 
      What is the most important information I should know about varenicline tablets?
     When you try to quit smoking, with or without varenicline tablets, you may have symptoms that may be due to nicotine withdrawal, including:
    • urge to smoke 
    • frustration 
    • restlessness
    • depressed mood 
    • anger 
    • decreased heart rate
    • trouble sleeping 
    • feeling anxious 
    • increased appetite
    • irritability                       
    • difficulty concentrating     
    • weight gain
    Some people have even experienced suicidal thoughts when trying to quit smoking without medication. Sometimes quitting smoking can lead to worsening of mental health problems that you already have, such as depression.
    Some people have had serious side effects while taking varenicline tablets to help them quit smoking, including:
    New or worse mental health problems, such as changes in behavior or thinking, aggression, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts or actions.Some people had these symptoms when they began taking varenicline tablets and others developed them after several weeks of treatment, or after stopping varenicline tablets. These symptoms happened more often in people who had a history of mental health problems before taking varenicline tablets, than in people without a history of mental health problems.
    Stop taking varenicline tablets and call your healthcare provider right away if you, your family, or caregiver notice any of these symptoms.Work with your healthcare provider to decide whether you should continue to take varenicline tablets. In many people, these symptoms went away after stopping varenicline tablets, but in some people, symptoms continued after stopping varenicline tablets. It is important for you to follow-up with your healthcare provider until your symptoms go away.
    Before taking varenicline tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had depression or other mental health problems. You should also tell your healthcare provider about any symptoms you had during other times you tried to quit smoking, with or without varenicline tablets.
    What are varenicline tablets?
    Varenicline tablets are a prescription medicine to help people stop smoking.
    Quitting smoking can lower your chances of having lung disease, heart disease or getting certain types of cancer that are related to smoking.
    Varenicline tablets has not been shown to be effective in children 16 years of age and under. Varenicline tablets should not be used in children 16 years of age and under.
    It is not known if varenicline tablets are safe and effective when used with other stop smoking medicines.
      Who should not take varenicline tablets?Do not take varenicline tablets if you have had a serious allergic or skin reaction to varenicline tablets.
    Symptoms may include:
     
    ·         swelling of the face, mouth (tongue, lips, gums), throat or neck
    ·         trouble breathing
    ·         Rash, with peeling skin
    ·         blisters in your mouth 
    ·         blisters in your mouth
    What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking varenicline tablets?
    See “What is the most important information I should know about varenicline tablets?”
    Before you take varenicline tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you:
    ·         use other treatments to quit smoking. Using varenicline tablets with a nicotine patch may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, upset stomach, and tiredness to happen more often than if you just use a nicotine patch alone.
    ·         have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a lower dose of varenicline tablets for you.
    ·         have a history of seizures
    ·         drink alcohol
    ·         have heart or blood vessel problems
    ·         have any other medical conditions
    ·         are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
    ·         are breastfeeding. It is not known if varenicline passes into breast milk. If you breastfeed and take varenicline tablets, monitor your baby for seizures as well as spitting up or vomiting more than normal.
    Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of some of your medicines when you stop smoking.
    You should not use varenicline tablets while using other medicines to quit smoking. Tell your healthcare provider if you use other treatments to quit smoking.
    Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
    How should I take varenicline tablets?
    ·         There are 3 ways that you can use varenicline tablets to help you quit smoking. Talk to your healthcare provider about the following 3 ways to use varenicline tablets:
    ·        Choose a  quit date when you will stop smoking. Start taking varenicline tablets 1 week (7 days) before your  quit date. Take varenicline tablets for 12 weeks.
              OR
    ·        Start taking varenicline tablets before you choose a  quit date. Pick a date to quit smoking that is between days 8 and 35 of treatment. Take varenicline tablets for 12 weeks.
              OR
    ·         If you are sure that you are not able or willing to quit smoking right away, start taking varenicline tablets and reduce smoking during the first 12 weeks of treatment, as follows:
     
    • Weeks 1 through 4 
           Reduce your smoking to reach one-half of your starting daily number of cigarettes.

           Example: If you usually smoke 20 cigarettes each day, reduce your smoking to 10 cigarettes each day during weeks 1 through 4.
    • Weeks 5 through 8 
           Reduce your smoking to reach one-quarter of your starting daily number of cigarettes.

           Example: If you usually smoked 20 cigarettes each day, reduce your smoking to 5 cigarettes each day during weeks 5  through 8.
    • Weeks 9 through 12   
           Keep reducing your smoking until you are no longer smoking (you reach zero cigarettes each day).
     
    Aim to quit by the end of the 12th week of treatment, or sooner if you feel ready. Continue to take varenicline tablets for another 12 weeks, for a total of 24 weeks of treatment.
    Starting varenicline tablets before your  quit date gives varenicline tablets time to build up in your body.
    You can keep smoking during this time. Take varenicline tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
     
    ·        Varenicline tablets comes as a white tablet (0.5 mg) and a blue tablet (1 mg). You start with the white tablet and then usually go to the blue tablet. See the chart below for dosing instructions for adults.
     
    • Day 1 to Day 3             -  White tablet (0.5 mg)
                      Take 1 tablet each day
    • Day 4 to Day 7     -  White tablet (0.5 mg)
                                      Take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening;  
    • Day 8 to end of treatment    -  Blue tablet (1 mg)
                                       Take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening
     
    ·      Make sure that you try to stop smoking on your quit date. If you slip-up and smoke, try again. Some people need to take varenicline tablets for
    a few weeks for varenicline tablets to work best.
    ·      Most people will take varenicline tablets for up to 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, your healthcare provider may prescribe varenicline tablets for another 12 weeks to help you stay cigarette-free.
    ·      Take varenicline tablets after eating and with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
    ·      This dosing schedule may not be right for everyone. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are having side effects such as nausea, strange dreams, or sleep problems. Your healthcare provider may want to reduce your dose.
    ·      If you miss a dose of varenicline tablets, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take your next dose at your regular time.
    What should I avoid while taking varenicline tablets?
    ·         Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how varenicline tablets affects you. Varenicline tablets may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have trouble concentrating, making it hard to drive or perform other activities safely.
    ·         Decrease the amount of alcoholic beverages that you drink during treatment with varenicline tablets until you know if varenicline tablets affects your ability to tolerate alcohol. Some people have experienced the following when drinking alcohol during treatment with varenicline tablets:
    ·                        increased drunkenness (intoxication)
    ·                        unusual or sometimes aggressive behavior
    ·                        no memory of things that have happened
      What are the possible side effects of varenicline tablets?Serious side effects of varenicline tablets may include:
    • See “What is the most important information I should know about varenicline tablets?”
    •  Seizures. Some people have had seizures during treatment with varenicline tablets. In most cases, the seizures have happened during the first month of treatment with varenicline tablets. If you have a seizure during treatment with varenicline tablets, stop taking varenicline tablets and contact your healthcare provider right away.
    • New or worse heart or blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems, mostly in people, who already have cardiovascular problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in symptoms during treatment with varenicline tablets.
           Get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack, including
    • chest discomfort (uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain) that   lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
    • pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
    • shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, or feeling lightheaded associated with chest discomfort
    • Sleepwalking can happen with varenicline tablets, and can sometimes lead to behavior that is harmful to you or other people, or to property. Stop taking varenicline tablets and tell your healthcare provider if you start sleepwalking.
    • Allergic reactions can happen with varenicline tablets. Some of these allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
    • Serious skin reactions, including rash, swelling, redness, and peeling of the skin. Some of these skin reactions can become life- threatening.

    • Stop taking varenicline tablets and get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
      • swelling of the face, mouth (tongue, lips, and gums), throat or neck
      • trouble breathing
      • rash with peeling skin
      • blisters in your mouth
    The most common side effects of varenicline tablets include:
    • nausea
    • sleep problems (trouble sleeping or vivid, unusual, or strange dreams)
    • constipation
    • gas
    • vomiting
    Tell your healthcare provider about side effects that bother you or that do not go away.
    These are not all the side effects of varenicline tablets. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
    Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
    How should I store varenicline tablets?
    Store varenicline tablets at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
    Keep varenicline tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.
    General information about the safe and effective use of varenicline tabletsMedicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use varenicline tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
    Do not give your varenicline tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about varenicline tablets that is written for healthcare professionals.
     If you are motivated to quit smoking and did not succeed during prior varenicline treatment for reasons other than side effects, or if you returned to smoking after treatment, speak with your healthcare provider about whether another course of varenicline tablets therapy may be right for you.
    What are the ingredients in varenicline tablets?Active ingredient: varenicline tartrate
    Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate,  croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, purified water, magnesium stearate,
    The tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing hypromellose, triacetin, titanium dioxide. In addition to these, the 1 mg tablet film coating includes FD&C blue #2/ indigo carmine aluminum lake.

    This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Administration                                                                                  Revised   3/2023

                                                               

  • PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

    varenicline-tablets-carton-2varenicline-tablets-carton-1Varenicline Tablets 0.5 mg - 56's Count Container Label

    Varenicline Tablets 1 mg - 56's Count Container Label

  • INGREDIENTS AND APPEARANCE
    VARENICLINE 
    varenicline tartrate tablet, film coated
    Product Information
    Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC: 82582-485
    Route of AdministrationORAL
    Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
    Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
    VARENICLINE TARTRATE (UNII: 82269ASB48) (VARENICLINE - UNII:W6HS99O8ZO) VARENICLINE0.5 mg
    Inactive Ingredients
    Ingredient NameStrength
    CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE (UNII: OP1R32D61U)  
    ANHYDROUS DIBASIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (UNII: L11K75P92J)  
    CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM (UNII: M28OL1HH48)  
    SILICON DIOXIDE (UNII: ETJ7Z6XBU4)  
    MAGNESIUM STEARATE (UNII: 70097M6I30)  
    HYPROMELLOSES (UNII: 3NXW29V3WO)  
    TRIACETIN (UNII: XHX3C3X673)  
    TITANIUM DIOXIDE (UNII: 15FIX9V2JP)  
    Product Characteristics
    Colorwhite (white to off-white) Scoreno score
    ShapeCAPSULESize8mm
    FlavorImprint Code 0;5
    Contains    
    Packaging
    #Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    1NDC: 82582-485-5656 in 1 BOTTLE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product03/19/2024
    Marketing Information
    Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    ANDAANDA21728303/19/2024
    VARENICLINE 
    varenicline tartrate tablet, film coated
    Product Information
    Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC: 82582-481
    Route of AdministrationORAL
    Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
    Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
    VARENICLINE TARTRATE (UNII: 82269ASB48) (VARENICLINE - UNII:W6HS99O8ZO) VARENICLINE1 mg
    Inactive Ingredients
    Ingredient NameStrength
    CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE (UNII: OP1R32D61U)  
    ANHYDROUS DIBASIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (UNII: L11K75P92J)  
    CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM (UNII: M28OL1HH48)  
    SILICON DIOXIDE (UNII: ETJ7Z6XBU4)  
    MAGNESIUM STEARATE (UNII: 70097M6I30)  
    HYPROMELLOSES (UNII: 3NXW29V3WO)  
    TRIACETIN (UNII: XHX3C3X673)  
    TITANIUM DIOXIDE (UNII: 15FIX9V2JP)  
    FD&C BLUE NO. 2 (UNII: L06K8R7DQK)  
    Product Characteristics
    Colorblue (light blue) Scoreno score
    ShapeCAPSULESize10mm
    FlavorImprint Code 1;0
    Contains    
    Packaging
    #Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    1NDC: 82582-481-5656 in 1 BOTTLE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product03/19/2024
    Marketing Information
    Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
    ANDAANDA21728303/19/2024
    Labeler - AVALANCHE PHARMACEUTICAL LLC (082160876)
    Establishment
    NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
    Aarkish Pharmaceuticals NJ Inc.117729250manufacture(82582-485, 82582-481) , label(82582-481, 82582-485)
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