Bupropion SR vs placebo for smoking cessation in health care professionals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate bupropion SR for smoking cessation in physicians and nurses.


METHODS
This double-blind prospective 26-center, 12-country trial randomized 687 subjects to smoking cessation counselling with bupropion SR or placebo for 7 weeks. The participants were followed for 52 weeks.


RESULTS
Bupropion SR was superior to placebo (50% vs 40%, P=0.013) on the 4-week primary outcome variable. Due to a high placebo response in this health care population, statistical differences were not maintained after treatment was discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion SR is effective and well tolerated in health care professionals. Relapse prevention measures are needed to attain long-term abstinence.
Zellweger
Jean-Pierre
JP
University Medical Policlinic, 10011 Lausanne, Switzerland. zellwegerjp@swissonline.ch
Boelcskei
Pal Laszio
PL
Carrozzi
Laura
L
Sepper
Ruth
R
Sweet
Ruth
R
Hider
Amy Z
AZ
D000328:Adult; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019049:Developed Countries; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D010820:Physicians; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D016642:Bupropion