The effect of bupropion on nicotine craving and withdrawal.
OBJECTIVE
Bupropion has demonstrated efficacy for smoking cessation. Given the importance of nicotine craving and withdrawal in the smoking cessation process, the current study examined the effects of bupropion on these parameters during smoking abstinence.


METHODS
During a 2-day Baseline phase with ad lib smoking, 91 non-depressed smokers (who were not trying to quit permanently) were administered measures of nicotine craving, withdrawal symptoms, and timed measures of cognitive performance five times daily. Participants were then assigned randomly to a 14-day treatment regimen with bupropion 300 mg/day, bupropion 150 mg/day, or placebo. Thereafter, the above measures were re-administered during 3 days of abstinence on a closed research ward.


RESULTS
Relative to placebo, 300 mg bupropion significantly reduced abstinence-associated increases in rated depression, difficulty concentrating, and irritability, and attenuated a decrease in positive affect. The results also suggested that bupropion might have a positive effect on performance measures during the withdrawal period. No effects were observed on craving, anxiety, restlessness, or hunger. The lack of findings on craving measures may be explained by a floor effect; except on the first day of abstinence, neither drug nor placebo groups showed much craving elevation during abstinence.


CONCLUSIONS
Study results indicate that bupropion ameliorates some nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Shiffman
S
S
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. shiffman@pinneyassociates.com
Johnston
J A
JA
Khayrallah
M
M
Elash
C A
CA
Gwaltney
C J
CJ
Paty
J A
JA
Gnys
M
M
Evoniuk
G
G
DeVeaugh-Geiss
J
J
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine