A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial of bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets as an aid to smoking cessation in hospital employees.
Despite changes in smoking behavior, one-third of the Danish population continues to smoke. Many of these smokers are hospital employees. This 6-month, multicenter, parallel group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated treatment with bupropion hydrochloride sustained release (Zyban) compared with placebo as an aid to smoking cessation in health care workers. A total of 336 hospital employees who smoked at least 10 cigarettes daily were randomized (2:1) to 7 weeks of treatment with bupropion (n=222) or placebo (n=114). All participants were motivated to quit smoking and received behavioral counseling. Continuous smoking abstinence during weeks 4-7 was the primary endpoint, and long-term smoking abstinence was among the secondary endpoints. Of the original participants, 212 completed the 6-month trial. Continuous smoking abstinence at week 7 was achieved by 43% in the bupropion group and 18% in the placebo group, p<.001. After 26 weeks, 18% and 7%, respectively, were continuously abstinent, p=.008. Side-effects were frequent but simple and reversible in both groups, and generally consistent with the findings of previous studies. Dizziness, insomnia, and pruritus appeared more frequently in the bupropion group than in the placebo group. Bupropion was effective as an aid to smoking cessation in a broad group of hospital employees in Denmark.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, HS Hvidovre University Hospital, Denmark.
Oli Jacob
OJ
Dalsgareth
Niels-Christian Gerner
NC
Hansen
Ulrik
U
Søes-Petersen
Torben
T
Evald
Asbjørn
A
Høegholm
Judy
J
Barber
Jørgen
J
Vestbo
D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion