Effect of bupropion on physiological measures of stress in smokers during nicotine withdrawal.
Studies suggest that among cigarette smokers trying to quit, stress undermines abstinence. Little research has assessed if therapies that increase smoking cessation rates impact physiological measures of stress response. Forty-three subjects completed this repeated-measures study in which a laboratory assessment was completed at baseline and after 17 days of treatment with either placebo (n=15), bupropion sustained release (150 mg twice daily) (n=14) or bupropion with stress reduction counseling (n=14). All subjects quit smoking 3 days prior to the second laboratory assessment. At each laboratory assessment physiological measures of stress (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate, plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol concentrations) were measured during rest periods and in response to a speech, a math and a cold pressor task. Among subjects taking placebo, physiological measures of stress were generally lower at rest and during the stressors after smoking cessation. In those taking bupropion these measures were equivalent at the two assessments. Additionally, compared to placebo, those on bupropion had a greater diastolic blood pressure response to the speech stressor and greater systolic blood pressure response to the math stressor during the second laboratory session. This study suggests that bupropion may be maintaining physiological measures of stress during the nicotine withdrawal period.
Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. kotly001@umn.edu
Michael
M
Kotlyar
Lisa H
LH
Brauer
Mustafa
M
al'absi
David E
DE
Adson
William
W
Robiner
Paul
P
Thuras
Jennifer
J
Harris
Mary E
ME
Finocchi
Carrie A
CA
Bronars
Suzanne
S
Candell
Dorothy K
DK
Hatsukami
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003376:Counseling; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion; D009538:Nicotine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine