NHS to offer new version of anti-smoking pill varenicline to thousands of patients

Smokers in England will be able to access a new version of the anti-smoking pill varenicline from April 2023.

Varenicline, which is sold under the brand name Champix, helps smokers quit by blocking the effects of nicotine in the brain. The new version of the pill, known as varenicline tartrate, will be offered to smokers who are trying to quit on the NHS.

The new version of varenicline is said to be more effective than the current version of the pill, and it is also expected to be better tolerated by patients.

Varenicline is one of the most effective stop-smoking medications available, and it has been shown to double the chances of quitting successfully. The new version of the pill is expected to be even more effective, and it could help thousands more smokers to quit.

The NHS plans to offer the new version of varenicline to smokers who are trying to quit on the NHS. The pill will be available on prescription from GPs and other healthcare professionals.

Smokers who are interested in trying varenicline should speak to their GP or other healthcare professional. The pill is not suitable for everyone, and it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment before starting to take it.

The NHS is committed to helping smokers to quit. The new version of varenicline is a welcome addition to the range of stop-smoking treatments available on the NHS, and it could help thousands more smokers to quit successfully.