Fig. 4.

Varenicline significantly decreases ethanol consumption in rats chronically consuming large amounts of ethanol (intermittent access to 20% ethanol). Varenicline (0.3–2 mg/kg s.c.) was administered 30 min before the start of the drinking session. Varenicline (1 and 2 mg/kg) significantly decreased ethanol consumption 30 min (A) and 6 h (B) after the onset of drinking. The values are expressed as mean ethanol consumed (g/kg) ± SEM (repeated measures ANOVA followed by Newman–Keuls post hoc test). **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001 compared with vehicle, n = 8.