Varenicline Treatment for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Bipolar Disorder (BEST)

Subject inclusion criteria

1. DSM IV-TR Bipolar I or II or Bipolar NOS Disorder
2. Ability to provide written informed consent
3. Male or Female patients, all races, ages 18 to 65 years inclusive
4. Negative serum pregnancy test for females of child-bearing potential. Patients must agree to one of the following birth control methods: an oral contraceptive agent, an intrauterine device (IUD), an implantable contraceptive (e.g., Norplant), or an injectable contraceptive (e.g., Depo Provera) for at least 1 month prior to entering the study and will continue its use through at least 30 days after the last dose of study medication or a barrier method of contraception, e.g., condom and/or diaphragm with spermicide while participating in the study through at least 30 days after the last dose of study medication or abstinence.
5. MADRS total scores ≤ 8 (past 4 weeks) (suicidal item, score ≤ 1, past 4 weeks).
6. Y-MRS scores ≤ 8 (past 4 weeks) irritability, speech content, disruptive, or aggressive behavior items score ≤ 3, past 4 weeks)
7. Stable doses of primary bipolar maintenance medication for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization
8. No psychiatric hospitalization or Emergency Room Visits for psychiatric issues in the 6-month period prior to randomization
9. No suicidal attempts or behavior history past 6 months
10. No aggressive or violent acts or behavior by history past 6 months

Subject exclusion criteria

1. Uncontrolled seizure disorders and other neurological disorders including Huntington's Chorea, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and stroke (cerebrovascular accident, CVA).
2. Current alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence within the last 3 months (caffeine will be permitted, nicotine dependence is part of inclusion criteria), including a case-by-case evaluation of those who meet remission criteria and who are on long-term substance abuse and/or alcohol abuse treatment.
3. Female patients who are pregnant, lactating or likely to become pregnant in next 6 months
4. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, asthma, seizure disorder, uncontrolled hypertension, (uncontrolled hypertension is defined as Systolic BP > 150 mm or Hg or diastolic BP > 95 mm or Hg on 2 consecutive BP readings 15 minutes apart at the time of screening) or unstable medical illness. Moderate to severe renal disease - moderate renal failure is defined as serum Creatinine >1.3 mg/dl in women and > 1.5 mg/dl in men, at the time of screening.
5. Severe dizziness or fainting due to orthostatic blood pressure changes
6. Known hypersensitivity to varenicline
7. Current use of cimetidine
8. Current treatment with heparin, warfarin, or lidocaine
9. Comorbid psychiatric condition diagnosed within the last three months.

Subject smoking inclusion criteria

1. Score of 7 or greater on the Contemplation Ladder, and willing to pick a target quit date within the next 4 weeks.
2. Smoke > 10 cigarettes per day.
3. Expired breath CO level > 10 ppm at screening and randomization.
4. No use of smoking cessation medication and/or behavioral treatment for smoking cessation in the past three months.
5. No current use of any nicotine replacement treatment.
6. Not using any tobacco products other than cigarettes.
7. No current treatment for smoking cessation (hypnosis, acupuncture, others).
8. No current use or past treatment failure with varenicline.
9. No current treatment with bupropion for smoking cessation.