Use of sustained-release bupropion in specific patient populations for smoking cessation.
Smoking cessation trials of sustained-release bupropion (bupropion SR) were initially conducted in a general population of smokers who were motivated to quit smoking. Bupropion SR has also been found to be a useful treatment of tobacco dependence in various special populations of smokers who often experience difficulty in overcoming tobacco addiction. Point-prevalence quit rates at 6 months were higher in those treated with bupropion SR than in those receiving placebo in studies on smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (23% vs 16%) and in those with cardiovascular disease (34% vs 12%). Abstinence from smoking after treatment with bupropion SR was not affected by a history of major depression or alcoholism. Women treated with bupropion SR were just as likely as men to abstain from smoking. Approximately one-third of a study population who were initially unwilling or unable to quit smoking were able to reduce their smoking by 50% or more during therapy with bupropion SR; 14% of these went on to achieve abstinence. Bupropion SR was well tolerated in these trials; importantly, it had no clinically significant effect on mean blood pressure in smokers, including those with hypertension, and attenuated the weight gain associated with smoking cessation, particularly in women.
Department of Preventive Cardiology, Ullevål University Hospital, N-0407 Oslo, Norway. Serena.Tonstad@ulleval.no
Serena
S
Tonstad
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion