September 2007 « Chantix News HomeChampix to hit Australian market before the year-end A new anti-smoking pill, Chantix
might reach out to the Australian market before the end of the year. Formulated
to help out smokers in kicking nicotine addiction, Chantix has already
received market approval in addition to preliminary approval to be indexed
on the So, if provided the final nod for a federal government subsidy, it might be available before Christmas, the drug's maker Pfizer states. Champix would be third therapeutic remedy available for cessation of smoking apart from nicotine replacement treatments such as gums and patches. The anti-smoking pill works by arousing the same receptors in the brain that are known to be associated with nicotine addiction and thus relieves craving to smoke. It also assuages smoking withdrawal symptoms. But experts held a mix perception on the benefits of Champix, with some calling it a "Stirring development" and others maintaining that it is not a magic pill. In a study published earlier this year, smokers who took up Champix were found three times more capable of staying smoke-free after one year compared to those who have not consumed a dummy pill. "It works on completely different part of the brain compared to Zyban, the other anti-smoking medication in the market," said Professor Renee Bittoun, the director of the Smoking Research Unit at the University of Sydney. That is why, smokers who have tried Zyban and didn't get success may attain success with Champix, Prof Bittoun further added. "This is how it might be a magical shot." However, Simon Chapman, a professor in public health at the University of Sydney, warned against such extreme eagerness. "Many smokers uphold a high and irrational level of anticipation regarding the potency of smoking cessation drugs," Professor Chapman said. "In actuality, the success rates are never good as they are in the
clinical trials. |
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