Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bupropion for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.
OBJECTIVE
To compare bupropion to placebo for reducing methamphetamine (MA) use, increasing retention, and reducing the severity of depressive symptoms and MA-cravings. A secondary objective compared bupropion to placebo for reducing cigarette smoking among MA dependent participants.


METHODS
Following a 2-week, non-medication baseline screening period, 73 treatment-seeking MA dependent participants were randomly assigned to bupropion sustained release (150 mg twice daily; N=36) or placebo (twice daily; N=37) for 12-weeks under double-blind conditions. Participants attended clinic thrice weekly to provide urine samples analyzed for MA-metabolite, to complete research measures and assessments, and to receive contingency management and weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant effects for bupropion relative to placebo on MA use verified by urine drug screens, for reducing the severity of depressive symptoms or MA-cravings, or on study retention. In a post hoc analysis, there was a statistically significant effect of bupropion treatment on MA use among participants with lighter (0-2 MA-positive urines), but not heavier (3-6 MA-positive urines) MA use during baseline (OR=2.81, 95% CI=1.61-4.93, p<0.001 for MA-free week with bupropion among light users). Bupropion treatment was also associated with significantly reduced cigarette smoking, by almost five cigarettes per day (p=0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion was no more effective than placebo in reducing MA use in planned analyses, though bupropion did reduce cigarette smoking. Post hoc findings of an effect for bupropion among baseline light, but not heavy, MA users suggests further evaluation of bupropion for light-MA users is warranted.
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 540, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Heinzerling
Keith G
KG
Rotheram-Fuller
Erin
E
Steward
Trevor
T
Wang
Jason
J
Swanson
Aimee-Noelle
AN
De La Garza
Richard
R
Newton
Tom
T
Ling
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010919:Placebos; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010919:Placebos; D016642:Bupropion; D008694:Methamphetamine