Table 12: Efficacy of varenicline on abstinence from smoking at ≥6 months follow up.
| Comparison | Details | RR abstinence from smoking (95% CI) | I2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Varenicline vs. Placebo; continuous abstinence at ≥24 weeks | 6 trials, N=2582 | 2.33 (1.95, 2.80) | 46% |
| 2. Varenicline vs. Bupropion; continuous abstinence at 52 weeks | 3 trials, N=799 | 1.52 (1.22, 1.88) | 0% |
| 3. Varenicline vs. NRT* (open-label); continuous abstinence at 52 weeks | 1 trial, N=757 | 1.31 (1.01, 1.71) | — |
| 4. Varenicline as Maintenance Therapy; at 52 weeks | 1 trial, N=1210 | 1.18 (1.03, 1.36) | — |
| 5. Varenicline as Maintenance Therapy; at 24 weeks† | 1 trial, N=1210 | 1.42 (1.29, 1.56) | — |
RR refers to relative risk; NRT, Nicotine replacement therapy; I2, test for heterogeneity
*
Nicotine patch † End of double-blind phase