[Drug of the month. Varenicline (Champix)].

Smoking is responsible for 20,000 premature deaths per year in Belgium. Paradoxically, few drugs are efficient to induce tobacco cessation and to decrease relapse. Until a few weeks ago nicotin replacement therapy and bupropion only were validated in this indication. Varenicline (Champix), a partial agonist of nicotinic receptors, is a novel type of drugs currently also accepted for sale for smoking cessation. This article dwells on recent publications about efficacy of varenicline. Position, side-effects and advantages of the drug are discussed.