NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced today results from a Phase 4 study
evaluating the efficacy and safety of CHANTIX®/CHAMPIX® (varenicline)
for smoking cessation in nicotine dependent adolescents 12-19 years of
age. The study did not meet its primary endpoint of the four-week
continuous abstinence rate at weeks 9 through 12 for CHANTIX/CHAMPIX
compared to placebo. The study is a regulatory post marketing commitment
for CHANTIX/CHAMPIX in the U.S. and EU for adolescents 12-16 years and
12-17 years of age, respectively.
“This study makes a valuable contribution to the limited body of
clinical research on pharmacotherapy smoking cessation treatments for
adolescent smokers,” said James Rusnak, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Development
Officer, Internal Medicine, Pfizer Inc. “CHANTIX/CHAMPIX is an important
treatment option for adults 18 and over who want to quit smoking.”
The adverse event profile of CHANTIX/CHAMPIX observed in this study of
adolescent smokers was similar to that seen in studies of adults. The
most common adverse events that occurred in at least 5 percent of
patients were nausea, headache, vomiting, agitation, and abnormal dreams
(high dose group); and nausea, dizziness, agitation, abnormal dreams,
and upper respiratory tract infection (low dose group).
About the Study
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group,
dose-ranging multicenter study examined the safety and efficacy of
varenicline, along with age-appropriate counseling, for smoking
cessation in nicotine dependent adolescents (n=312). Patients were
stratified into two cohorts by body weight (≤55 kg and >55 kg).
Following two-week titration, patients randomized to varenicline with a
body weight >55 kg received varenicline 1 mg twice daily (high dose
group) or 0.5 mg twice daily (low dose group), while patients with a
body weight ≤55 kg received 0.5 mg twice daily (high dose group) or 0.5
mg once daily (low dose group). Patients received treatment for 12
weeks, followed by a non-treatment period of 40 weeks. The study was not
powered to assess efficacy in adolescent smokers aged 17-19 and in this
group conclusions cannot be drawn.
Complete study results will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming
scientific congress and for publication in a peer-reviewed medical
journal. As part of planned regulatory interactions in the U.S. and EU,
these data will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
for CHANTIX pediatric exclusivity determination.
More information about the study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About CHANTIX®
CHANTIX® (also known as CHAMPIX® in the EU and
other countries) was approved by the FDA in May 2006 as a prescription
medication that, along with support, helps adults aged 18 and over stop
smoking. CHANTIX is approved in more than 100 countries for adults aged
18 and over and has been prescribed to more than 24 million patients
worldwide.
Important CHANTIX (varenicline) Safety Information
When patients try to quit smoking, with or without CHANTIX, they may
have symptoms that may be due to nicotine withdrawal, including urge to
smoke, depressed mood, trouble sleeping, irritability, frustration,
anger, feeling anxious, difficulty concentrating, restlessness,
decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain.
Some people have had new or worse mental health problems, such as
changes in behavior or thinking, aggression, hostility, agitation,
depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after
stopping CHANTIX. These symptoms happened more often in people who had a
history of mental health problems. Patients should stop taking CHANTIX
and call their healthcare provider right away if they, their family, or
caregiver notice any of these symptoms. Before starting CHANTIX,
patients should tell their healthcare provider if they ever had
depression or other mental health problems.
Some people have had seizures during treatment with CHANTIX. Patients
should tell their healthcare provider if they have a history of
seizures. If they have a seizure, the patient should stop taking CHANTIX
and contact their healthcare provider right away.
New or worse heart or blood vessel problems can happen with CHANTIX.
Patients should tell their healthcare provider if they have heart or
blood vessel problems or experience any symptoms during treatment.
Patients should get emergency medical help right away if they have
symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
Sleepwalking can happen with CHANTIX, and can sometimes lead to harmful
behavior. Patients should stop taking CHANTIX and tell their healthcare
provider if they start sleepwalking.
Patients should not take CHANTIX if they have had a serious allergic or
skin reaction to it. These can happen with CHANTIX and can be
life-threatening. Patients should stop taking CHANTIX and get medical
help right away if they develop swelling of the face, mouth, throat or
neck; trouble breathing; rash with peeling skin, or blisters in their
mouth.
Patients should use caution when driving or operating machinery until
they know how CHANTIX affects them. Patients should decrease the amount
of alcohol they drink while taking CHANTIX until they know if CHANTIX
affects their ability to tolerate alcohol.
The most common side effects of CHANTIX include nausea (30%), sleep
problems (trouble sleeping, vivid, unusual, or strange dreams)
constipation, gas and/or vomiting. If the patient has side effects that
bother them or don’t go away, they should tell their healthcare provider.
Click here for full Prescribing
Information and Medication
Guide.
About Pfizer: Working together for a healthier world®
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies
to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive
to set the standard for quality, safety and - 4 - value in the
discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our
global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the
world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer
colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance
wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most
feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one
of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we
collaborate with health care providers, governments and local
communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health
care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a
difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that
may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com.
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DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release
is as of March 23, 2018. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of
new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about
CHANTIX/CHAMPIX (varenicline), including its potential benefits, that
involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
uncertainties regarding the commercial impact of the Phase 4 study; the
risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations,
including by regulatory authorities; the uncertainties inherent in
research and development; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding
labeling and other matters that could affect the availability or
commercial potential of CHANTIX/CHAMPIX; uncertainties regarding
whether Chantix will be granted pediatric exclusivity in the U.S.; and
competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in
Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2017, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and
"Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future
Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form
8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and available at www.sec.gov
and www.pfizer.com.
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Source: Pfizer Inc.