Varenicline versus bupropion SR or placebo for smoking cessation: a pooled analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate varenicline's efficacy for smoking cessation versus bupropion SR and placebo and to explore whether factors typically predictive of abstinence influence varenicline's efficacy versus placebo, as measured by the week 9-12 continuous abstinence rate (CAR9-12).


METHODS
Smokers in 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trials received varenicline 1 mg BID (n=696), bupropion SR 150 mg BID (n=671), or placebo (n=685) for 12 weeks. Nontreatment followup lasted 40 weeks.


RESULTS
CAR(9-12) was greater for varenicline (44.0%) versus bupropion SR (29.7%; P<0.0001) and placebo (17.7%; P<0.0001). CAR(9-12) for varenicline versus placebo was not affected by age, gender, or nicotine dependence level.


CONCLUSIONS
Varenicline was more efficacious than bupropion SR or placebo. Varenicline's efficacy versus placebo was not influenced by factors predictive of abstinence.
Nides
Mitchell
M
Los Angeles Clinical Trials, 4116 W. Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505, USA. mnides@laclinicaltrials.com
Glover
Elbert D
ED
Reus
Victor I
VI
Christen
Arden G
AG
Make
Barry J
BJ
Billing
Clare B
CB
Williams
Kathryn E
KE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D000068580:Varenicline; D055815:Young Adult
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D001552:Benzazepines; D011810:Quinoxalines; D016642:Bupropion; D000068580:Varenicline