Preloading with Chantix improved smoking cessation rates

Varenicline is to be started one week prior to the smoking cessation quit date. Hajek et al randomized patients to take Chantix or placebo as a run-in for 3 weeks prior to that. All patients took varenicline for 1 week prior and 3 months after quitting. Those who were "preloaded" had 12-week abstinence rates of 47%, vs. 21%, p=0.005. Arch Int Med 2011;171:770-777.