Varenicline Pharmaceutical of the Future

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Varenicline: Pharmaceutical of the Future

ABSTRACT

The project that I chose was a study of Chantix™, also known as Varenicline, and different analogs of it. After altering the original structure of Varenicline, I ran the new molecules through a program to determine their ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, Toxicity) properties. Based on the computer-generated properties, I would potentially be able to determine whether or not the new molecules would be suitable candidates.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco is a naturally occurring plant that was first used by the Native Americans as a vehicle to communicate with the spiritual world. The introduction of the plant to the newly arrived Europeans consequently led to the invention of the cigarette, tobacco rolled in paper. After a little less than 500 years, the smoking of cigarettes continues today even though scientists and doctors alike can prove its damaging effects. Smoking continues today because of addiction, something so powerful and difficult to overcome that a person usually needs help.

This so-called help can come from many things including, but not limited to, the more common patches and lozenges, and the less conventional use of hypnosis. Although the fore mentioned methods do work on occasion, their success rates are far from stellar and their side effects are numerous. Fortunately, there is a new pharmaceutical out on the market by the name of Chantix™, scientifically known as Varenicline, which seems to have an edge when it comes to smoking cessation.

PURPOSE

Chantix™ or Varenicline was approved by the Federal Drug Administration for the treatment of nicotine addiction in 2006. Since then there have been many case studies done, like the o...

... middle of paper ...

...hough my second analog appeared to be similar to Varenicline under a few properties, the AlogP98 and Aqueous Solubility were very different. This leads me to believe that my second designed molecule would not be a suitable candidate for a new drug.

REFERENCES

1—Klesges, Robert C., Karen C. Johnson, and Grant Somes. "Varenicline for Smoking Cessation: Definite Promise, But No Panacea." The Journal of the American Medical Association 296 (2006). 17 July 2007.

2—Gonzales, David, Stephen Rennard, Mitchell Nides, Cheryl Oncken, Salomon Azoulay, Clare Billing, Eric Watsky, Jason Gong, Kathryn Williams, and Karen Reeves. "Varenicline, an α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist, Vs Sustained-Release Bupropion and Placebo for Smoking Cessation: a Randomized Controlled Trial." The Journal of the American Medical Association 296 (2006): 47-55. 17 July 2007.

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