A patient is taking a medication for smoking cessation. A recognized adverse effect of this drug is:

Correct answer: A. Depression / neuropsychiatric mood changes

• A. Correct – varenicline and bupropion (the prescription smoking-cessation drugs) carry warnings for mood changes, depression, and other neuropsychiatric effects.
• B. Incorrect. Varenicline can transiently alter taste, but the recognized, label-warning adverse effect is neuropsychiatric mood change/depression, not a permanent taste change.
• C. Incorrect – these agents are used precisely because they are non-addictive; the nicotine being quit is what causes dependency.
• D. Incorrect. Unlike nicotine itself, varenicline (a partial nicotinic agonist) is not associated with significant physical dependence; its notable warning is neuropsychiatric/mood effects.