Targeting smokers at increased risk for relapse: treating women and those with a history of depression

• Published in: Nicotine & tobacco research 2003-02, Vol.5 (1), p.99-109
• Main Authors: Smith, Stevens S., Jorenby, Douglas E., Leischow, Scott J., Nides, Mitchell A., Rennard, Stephen I., Johnston, J. Andrew, Jamerson, Brenda, Fiore, Michael C., Baker, Timothy B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Biological and medical sciences; Bupropion - administration & dosage; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Nicotine - administration & dosage; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Cessation - statistics & numerical data; Smoking Prevention; Tobacco, tobacco smoking; Toxicology
• ISSN: 1462-2203; 1469-994X
• DOI: 10.1080/1462220021000060437

Some studies have shown that female smokers and smokers with a history of depression have an increased risk of relapse following smoking cessation treatment. This study examined the efficacy of bupropion sustained-release (SR) and the nicotine patch for smoking cessation in subgroups of smokers at possible risk for relapse. Data for this study were from a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 893 smokers were randomized to four treatment conditions: placebo tablet + placebo patch, placebo tablet + 21 mg/24-hr nicotine patch, 300 mg bupropion SR + placebo patch, and 300 mg bupropion SR + 21 mg/24-hr nicotine patch. Study medication continued for 8 weeks after the quit day; brief individual cessation counseling was provided during weekly clinic visits. In comparison to the placebo tablet, bupropion SR approximately tripled 1-year non-smoking rates among women and previously depressed individuals. In contrast, the nicotine patch did not significantly improve cessation rates for any group. We conclude that bupropion SR is a first-line treatment for smoking that has the potential to benefit all smokers, especially women and the previously depressed.