Nicotine vs Varenicline tartrate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nicotine was dispensed 2.5× as often as Varenicline tartrate in May 2026 — 19,460 items versus 7,714 in England.
19,460items
Nicotine · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
7,714items
Varenicline tartrate · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Nicotine versus Varenicline tartrate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Nicotine · ╌ Varenicline tartrate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Nicotine | Varenicline tartrate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 19,460 | 7,714 |
| Items, last 12 months | 256,748 | 104,412 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £698,525 | £260,293 |
See the full profile for Nicotine or Varenicline tartrate.