Wastebasket Agents

Question 1

Varenicline

Class?

Mechanism?

Net effect?

Clinical Uses?

Side effects?

Similar drugs? (1)

Contraindications?

Answer 1

Class?
Smoking cessation agent

Mechanism?
partial agonist of N receptors ACh receptor in the brain

Net effect?
N receptors ACh receptor without producing a full effect like nicotine, thus it does not greatly increase the downstream release of dopamine (prevents nicotine-induced dopamine surges). Net: reduces cravings

Clinical Uses?
smoking cessation

Side effects?
nausea, insomina, suicidal ideation, aggressive + erratic behavior

Similar drugs? Bupropion

Contraindications?
psychiatric patients, pregnancy, lactation