Varenicline is associated with a modest limitation in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the effect of treatment on limiting weight gain in abstainers using and not using varenicline and during the nontreatment phase.

Methods: The PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify relevant studies published in English or Chinese. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation between varenicline and control groups and their corresponding 95% CIs. The I2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's regression asymmetry test.

Results: A total of 10 studies were included. The WMD in weight gain in abstainers between varenicline and control groups was -0.23 kg (95% CI: -0.36 to -0.09, P < 0.05). Moreover, the result of the subgroup analysis by timepoint of weight measurement indicated that the WMD in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation between varenicline and control groups after the 12-week treatment phase was -0.23 kg (95% CI: -0.37 to -0.08, P < 0.05), and the WMD observed during the nontreatment follow-up phase was -0.69 kg (95% CI: -2.15 to 0.77, P > 0.05). In addition, the result of the subgroup analysis by type of control showed that the WMD in weight gain in abstainers from smoking between the varenicline and placebo groups was -0.29 kg (95% CI: -0.46 to -0.12, P < 0.05), and the WMD between the varenicline and other control groups was -0.20 kg (95% CI: -0.77 to 0.37, P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Varenicline was associated with a modest limitation in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation; however, the impact of varenicline use was not long-term, and, in fact, no different from that of the placebo treatment.