Randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of bupropion combined with nicotine patch in the treatment of adolescent smokers.
Adolescent smokers (N = 211) were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: (a) nicotine patch plus bupropion SR (sustained release; 150 mg per day) or (b) nicotine patch plus placebo. Group skills training sessions were conducted each week by research staff. Abstinence rates at Weeks 10 and 26 were as follows: (a) patch plus bupropion, 23% and 8%, (b) patch plus placebo, 28% and 7%. Despite the lack of a treatment effect, a large majority of adolescents in both treatment groups reduced their consumption to a few cigarettes per day or less and maintained this reduction over time. Similarly, an examination of survival curves revealed that by the end of treatment many had managed to avoid a return to daily smoking. These findings are encouraging and suggest new avenues for research. For example, treatments of the kind examined in this report, augmented by extended maintenance therapies, may yield higher long-term success rates.
Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jkillen@stanford.edu
Joel D
JD
Killen
Thomas N
TN
Robinson
Seth
S
Ammerman
Chris
C
Hayward
Jayna
J
Rogers
Christi
C
Stone
Deanne
D
Samuels
Sara K
SK
Levin
Sarah
S
Green
Alan F
AF
Schatzberg
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine