Bupropion for pharmacologic relapse prevention to smoking: predictors of outcome.
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of successful relapse prevention in smokers receiving long-term sustained-release bupropion. Smokers (N= 784) who were interested in stopping smoking were enrolled in a 7-week, open-label bupropion phase. Abstinent subjects at the end of treatment and eligible to proceed (N= 429) were randomized to active bupropion or placebo through Week 52 and then followed for an additional year. The best overall predictor of less relapse to smoking was assignment to active bupropion. In aggregate, the results indicate that bupropion can be prescribed to diverse populations of smokers with expected comparable results. There was a medication effect that was independent of any predictor except older age and those who gained no or minimal weight during the open-label phase. Predictors of successful relapse prevention included lower baseline smoking rates, a Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire score of < 6, and initiation of smoking at an older age. These data should encourage others to perform similar pharmacologic relapse prevention studies with this or other pharmacotherapies.
Nicotine Research Center, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. rhurt@mayo.edu
Richard D
RD
Hurt
Troy D
TD
Wolter
Nancy
N
Rigotti
J Taylor
JT
Hays
Raymond
R
Niaura
Michael J
MJ
Durcan
David
D
Gonzales
David P L
DP
Sachs
J Andrew
JA
Johnston
Kenneth P
KP
Offord
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016642:Bupropion