Bupropion SR as an aid to smoking cessation in smokers treated previously with bupropion: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Many persons who attempt to quit smoking have made previous unsuccessful attempts to quit with pharmacologic aids. An understanding of the impact of these previous attempts to quit is vital for selecting medications that may be more successful in a future attempt to quit. In particular, the effect of repeated use of bupropion SR (Zyban; INN, amfebutamone) on abstinence rates has not been studied previously.


METHODS
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 450 smokers who had previously used bupropion in a smoking cessation attempt. The study consisted of a screening phase, a 12-week treatment phase, and a follow-up at month 6. Participants made regular clinic visits throughout the treatment phase during which they received brief counseling sessions to encourage abstinence from smoking. The primary end point was continuous abstinence from smoking from weeks 4 through 7. Secondary efficacy end points were examined throughout the treatment phase and at follow-up after 6 months.


RESULTS
In participants receiving bupropion SR, 27% (61 of 226) remained abstinent throughout the period from weeks 4 through 7 compared with 5% (11 of 224) of participants receiving placebo (P <.001). Significantly (P <.001) more participants who received bupropion SR during the treatment phase remained continuously abstinent from the start of week 4 through month 6 (27 of 226; 12%) compared with participants who received placebo (5 of 224; 2%). Eleven participants receiving placebo (5%) and 19 participants receiving bupropion SR (8%) stopped taking the study medication because of an adverse event.


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion SR is an effective medication for retreatment of smokers who have used bupropion SR previously.
Gonzales
D H
DH
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, 97201, USA. gonzales@ohsu.edu
Nides
M A
MA
Ferry
L H
LH
Kustra
R P
RP
Jamerson
B D
BD
Segall
N
N
Herrero
L A
LA
Krishen
A
A
Sweeney
A
A
Buaron
K
K
Metz
A
A
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; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion