Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Although there have been significant declines in cigarette use in the general and Veteran populations, the prevalence of smoking remains stubbornly high. Smoking cessation can reduce the risk for adverse effects on health, such as certain types of cancer, reproductive health, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Further, research findings related to the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions. Use of evidence-based FDA-approved smoking cessation medications along with behavioral counseling help to support quit attempts and are cost-effective. Varenicline, a partial nicotine agonist and antagonist, was approved for smoking cessation in 2006 and incorporated as a first-line agent for smoking cessation in the 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the United States Public Health Service. Shortly thereafter, reports in the lay press of suicidal thoughts and aggressive behavior surfaced leading the FDA to issue several communications regarding varenicline safety. At the same time, the VA severely restricted use to second-line therapy and required extensive patient follow-up and limited prescribing. More recent data on neuropsychiatric safety in patients with and without psychiatric disorders, a United Kingdome safety study, VA pharmacovigilance study on safety and hospitalizations, the removal of the FDA Boxed Warning for neuropsychiatric events, incorporation of varenicline into most first-line recommendations for smoking cessation into clinical practice guidelines by the American Thoracic Society, and data on changes in use of varenicline in the VA compared to Medicaid following FDA Warnings allowed for removal of varenicline criteria for use in VHA. This live, knowledge-based virtual presentation course will review the history of varenicline safety issues over time and the response by VHA to safety warnings. This training is relevant to interprofessional healthcare teams.
- Provider:Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
- Activity Link: https://www.tms.va.gov
- Start Date: 2023-07-31 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-07-31 05:00:00
- Credit Details: IPCE Credits: 1.0 hours
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.0 hours
Dentistry: 1.0 hours
Nursing: 1.0 hours
Pharmacy: 1.0 hours
Psychology: 1.0 hours
Social Work: 1.0 hours - Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: No, it's free
- Measured Outcome: Community/Population Health, Learner Knowledge, Learner/Team Competence, Learner/Team Performance, Patient Health
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all