What do systematic reviews say?

Varenicline vs placebo or no medication

Varenicline showed no clear difference in cardiac SAEs (varenicline vs placebo or no medication) compared with placebo or no medication (low certainty).

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.2 [0.79, 1.84]
  18 studies · 7151 participants
  Low

Varenicline vs bupropion

Varenicline showed no clear difference in cardiac SAEs compared with bupropion (low certainty).

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 3.17 [0.33, 30.18]
  2 studies · 866 participants
  Low

Varenicline vs nicotine replacement therapy monotherapy

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 137 participants
  GRADE not reported

Varenicline vs combination nicotine replacement therapy

Varenicline showed no clear difference in cardiac SAEs compared with combination nicotine replacement therapy (low certainty).

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.32 [0.01, 7.88]
  2 studies · 819 participants
  Low

Varenicline vs e‐cigarettes

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 54 participants
  GRADE not reported

Cytisine vs varenicline

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found