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| Smoking Cessation Drug |
Question:
Is there a smoking cessation drug in the works?
Answer:
Researchers are racing to develop a potentially lucrative
drug that would make smoking cessation as treatable as erectile dysfunction, high
cholesterol and acid reflux disease.
In Connecticut, researchers at Pfizer Inc. identified a brain receptor that
nicotine binds to and designed a drug, varenicline, that latches to the same
site. Varenicline is in Phase III testing, normally the last step before a
company applies for approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Researchers hope that the drug will attach to nicotine receptors in the
brain, preventing overpowering cravings from setting in when someone stops
smoking.
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