Targeting smokers at increased risk for relapse: treating women and those with a history of depression.
Some studies have shown that female smokers and smokers with a history of depression have an increased risk of relapse following smoking cessation treatment. This study examined the efficacy of bupropion sustained-release (SR) and the nicotine patch for smoking cessation in subgroups of smokers at possible risk for relapse. Data for this study were from a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 893 smokers were randomized to four treatment conditions: placebo tablet + placebo patch, placebo tablet + 21 mg/24-hr nicotine patch, 300mg bupropion SR + placebo patch, and 300mg bupropion SR + 21 mg/24-hr nicotine patch. Study medication continued for 8 weeks after the quit day; brief individual cessation counseling was provided during weekly clinic visits. In comparison to the placebo tablet, bupropion SR approximately tripled 1-year non-smoking rates among women and previously depressed individuals. In contrast, the nicotine patch did not significantly improve cessation rates for any group. We conclude that bupropion SR is a first-line treatment for smoking that has the potential to benefit all smokers, especially women and the previously depressed.
Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53711-2027, USA. sss@ctri.medicine.wisc.edu
Stevens S
SS
Smith
Douglas E
DE
Jorenby
Scott J
SJ
Leischow
Mitchell A
MA
Nides
Stephen I
SI
Rennard
J Andrew
JA
Johnston
Brenda
B
Jamerson
Michael C
MC
Fiore
Timothy B
TB
Baker
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine