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ABSTRACT: Objective
Smokers often smoke during stressful events, which leads to large increases in cardiovascular measures such as blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Because exaggerated cardiovascular response to stress is associated with cardiovascular disease risk, this study examined paroxetine's effect on the physiological response to combining stress and smoking.Methods
Sixty-two participants completed this randomized, double-blind, crossover study in which BP, HR, plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol concentrations were measured at rest, while smoking, and during a speech and math task. Laboratory sessions occurred after 1 month of paroxetine and after 1 month of placebo.ResultsSignificant increases occurred for all measures (except cortisol) during smoking, with further increases occurring during the speech task (time effect, p < .001). After 1 month of paroxetine, norepinephrine and HR values were lower and cortisol values were higher (versus placebo) throughout the laboratory session (treatment effect, p < .001). Treatment × time effects were observed for BP and HR (all, p < .01). For systolic and diastolic BP, a smaller increase (from baseline to measures during speech) was observed after paroxetine compared with placebo (both, p < .006). In both measures, the increase in response to smoking was similar for both treatments; however, the further increase during the speech was smaller when taking paroxetine (versus placebo).Conclusions
This study suggests that paroxetine affects physiological response to stress in smokers. Further research is needed to determine the impact of these results on cardiovascular health.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00218439.
Psychosomatic Medicine 03/2013; · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence has linked depressive symptoms and sex hormones to risk for relapse; however, the specific mechanisms involved in these associations remain unknown. This randomized crossover study assessed physiological response to nicotine by menstrual phase in female smokers with and without depressive symptoms following acute smoking abstinence. METHODS: Females, ages 18-40 years with regular menstrual cycles, not on exogenous hormones or psychotropic medications, who reported smoking ≥5 cigarettes/day were enrolled. Participants were stratified into 2 groups: no depressive symptoms (NDS; n = 23) and depressive symptoms (DS; n = 24). After 4 days of biochemically verified smoking abstinence, participants completed 2 laboratory sessions in the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases. Participants used nicotine nasal spray at Time 0, and blood pressure, heart rate, and serum nicotine were measured at Time -1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90min. RESULTS: Participants (n = 47) were 29.1±6.8 years old and smoked an average of 12.5±5.1 cigarettes/day. The NDS group had more pronounced menstrual phase differences (F > L) in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and maximum concentrations of nicotine compared with the DS group (p < .05).Conclusions:This study observed an interaction between sex hormones and depressive symptoms such that those without depressive symptoms had a greater menstrual phase difference in the physiological response to nicotine. These data offer additional support for the role of sex hormones in the physiological response to nicotine, which may play a role in menstrual phase effects on smoking cessation.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 11/2012; · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Studies suggest that in smokers attempting to quit smoking, the occurrence of stressful events is associated with smoking relapse. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bupropion (an agent known to increase smoking cessation rates) on the craving, withdrawal, and mood response to stressful tasks administered in a laboratory setting.
Response to three tasks (a speech, math, and cold pressor task) was measured in 65 smokers during ad libitum smoking. Smokers were then randomized to either bupropion or placebo. Fourteen days after starting medication, 43 subjects (28 receiving bupropion and 15 receiving placebo) quit smoking and laboratory procedures were repeated on the third day of abstinence.
Prior to cessation, stressors presented in a laboratory setting increased craving, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and subjective distress but decreased positive affect. Thirty minutes of relaxation after the stressors did not result in these measures returning to prestress levels. During the nicotine withdrawal period, stress-induced responses were generally smaller than during the precessation period. Bupropion (relative to placebo) reduced overall levels of craving and withdrawal symptoms but did not have significant effects on response to stress during the nicotine withdrawal period.
This study demonstrates that stress results in sustained increases in craving and withdrawal symptoms and changes in mood symptoms and that bupropion affects overall levels of these symptoms. Further research is needed to determine if modifying response to stress is predictive of an effective treatment for facilitating smoking cessation.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 03/2011; 13(6):492-7. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Smokeless, spitless tobacco products are being introduced and marketed as cigarette substitutes. Data are needed regarding how smokers interested in cessation would use these products, the levels of resultant toxicant exposure, and the feasibility of using these products as aids for tobacco cessation.
Smokers were randomized to receive Camel Snus (n = 51), Taboka (n = 52), or medicinal nicotine (n = 27) and required to quit smoking for 4 weeks. Measures of toxicant exposure and symptoms of craving and withdrawal were assessed prior to and during product use.
Concentrations of exhaled carbon monoxide, urinary cotinine, urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronides (total NNAL), and urinary N'-nitrosonornicotine and its glucuronide (total NNN) were significantly (P values <0.05) lower at the end of treatment in each group except for total NNN in those receiving Camel Snus (P = 0.066). A significant group × time effect was observed for total NNAL concentrations (P = 0.002) with the decrease greatest in the medicinal nicotine group and smallest decrease in the Camel Snus group. No significant differences between groups were found in craving and withdrawal symptoms.
Enrolling smokers into a cessation study utilizing newer smokeless tobacco products is feasible. Camel Snus and Taboka use was not found to be superior to medicinal nicotine in reducing withdrawal symptoms but decreases in NNAL were smaller in users of Camel Snus.
This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a smoking cessation study utilizing these newer tobacco products. An appropriately powered study is needed to assess smoking cessation rates using these newer products compared with established, safer products such as medicinal nicotine.
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 11/2010; 20(1):91-100. · 4.12 Impact Factor
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Dorothy K Hatsukami, Michael Kotlyar,
Louise A Hertsgaard,
Yan Zhang,
Steven G Carmella,
Joni A Jensen,
Sharon S Allen,
Peter G Shields,
Sharon E Murphy,
Irina Stepanov,
Stephen S Hecht
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ABSTRACT: To examine the effects of reduced nicotine cigarettes on smoking behavior, toxicant exposure, dependence and abstinence.
Randomized, parallel arm, semi-blinded study. Setting University of Minnesota Tobacco Use Research Center.
Six weeks of: (i) 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes; (ii) 0.3 mg nicotine yield cigarettes; or (iii) 4 mg nicotine lozenge; 6 weeks of follow-up. Measurements Compensatory smoking behavior, biomarkers of exposure, tobacco dependence, tobacco withdrawal and abstinence rate.
Unlike the 0.3 mg cigarettes, 0.05 mg cigarettes were not associated with compensatory smoking behaviors. Furthermore, the 0.05 mg cigarettes and nicotine lozenge were associated with reduced carcinogen exposure, nicotine dependence and product withdrawal scores. The 0.05 mg cigarette was associated with greater relief of withdrawal from usual brand cigarettes than the nicotine lozenge. The 0.05 mg cigarette led to a significantly higher rate of cessation than the 0.3 mg cigarette and a similar rate as nicotine lozenge.
The 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes may be a tobacco product that can facilitate cessation; however, future research is clearly needed to support these preliminary findings.
Addiction 02/2010; 105(2):343-55. · 4.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) technology to induce a physiological response to stress was assessed in 12 volunteers during a laboratory session in which each participant completed a speech task within a VR environment and a math task outside the VR environment. Both tasks were effective in eliciting a physiological response with significant increases observed in response to each stress task in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Increases in plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were observed during the speech task and in plasma epinephrine concentrations during the math task although these differences did not reach statistical significance. The use of VR technology may be a viable alternative to methods currently employed in presenting stressful tasks with the potential advantage of decreased variability in the audience response to the participants' performance.
Psychophysiology 10/2008; 45(6):1034-7. · 3.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Depression in patients with coronary artery disease is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is not clear, however, if treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) decreases the rate of future cardiovascular events. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the effect of SSRI use on cardiovascular outcomes. Thirteen studies addressing this issue were identified. Of these, 5 concluded that SSRI use is associated with decreased cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, 2 concluded that SSRI use was associated with worsened prognosis, and 6 studies found no statistically significant association. Almost all of the published literature examining the effect of SSRIs on cardiovascular outcomes is based on observational studies, thereby precluding definitive conclusions. Randomized controlled studies are clearly needed to definitively address this issue.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 04/2008; 13(1):32-40. · 1.75 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this double-blind, cross-over study physiological (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate, plasma catecholamine concentrations, plasma cortisol concentrations) and subjective (i.e. McGill Pain Questionnaire, positive affect, distress) response to a cold pressor task was assessed in 19 subjects 1 h after the administration of 50 mg naltrexone and after placebo. Significant differences in plasma catecholamine concentrations were found. Plasma epinephrine concentrations increased during the 1 h period after naltrexone administration but remained largely unchanged after placebo administration. A significant treatment x period effect was also found for plasma norepinephrine concentrations. No significant differences were found for other measures assessed. Further research is necessary to determine the subpopulations in which these effects are of greatest magnitude and the long term safety implications of these effects.
Biological Psychology 03/2008; 77(2):233-6. · 3.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: D-cycloserine (DCS), a glutamatergic partial N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) agonist, can facilitate extinction learning related to cued fear in animals and humans. We predicted that DCS would accelerate obsession-related distress reduction in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) undergoing extinction-based exposure therapy.
We administered DCS (125 mg) or placebo in a double-blind fashion to individuals with OCD approximately 2 hours before each exposure session.
D-cycloserine decreased both the number of exposure sessions required to achieve clinical milestones and the rate of therapy dropout. After four exposure sessions, patients in the DCS group reported significantly greater decreases in obsession-related distress compared with the placebo group; however, after additional sessions, the placebo group tended to catch up.
D-cycloserine augmentation has the potential to increase the efficiency, palatability, and overall effectiveness of standard exposure therapy for OCD.
Biological Psychiatry 11/2007; 62(8):835-8. · 8.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The University of Minnesota Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center has been examining the multiple dimensions and the scientific evidence required to determine the feasibility of tobacco harm reduction as a means to reduce tobacco-related mortality and morbidity. Because of the complexity associated with exploring this area, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. The research components that have been of particular focus at our center include (a) developing and validating biomarkers of tobacco-related exposure and toxicity, (b) developing animal models and designing studies with humans to assess a variety of smoking reduction approaches and potential reduced exposure products, and (c) determining individual differences in response to these interventions and products. A description of the ongoing activities and challenges in these areas is provided, along with projected directions for the future.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 11/2007; 9 Suppl 4:S537-53. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To integrate an Internet-based medical chart (IMC) system into a pharmacotherapy course to facilitate evaluation and feedback processes, foster development of written documentation skills, and prepare pharmacy students for future changes in electronic medical documentation systems.
An IMC system was introduced into a pharmacotherapy course for third-professional year pharmacy students and 4 "finish the SOAP note" activities were added to the curriculum. Students' performance on the SOAP notes were assessed by a team of evaluators. At the end of the semester, students and evaluators completed separate 6-item survey instruments concerning the usefulness of the IMC system in meeting the course objectives.
Students' performance on documentation activities improved over the course of the semester: 87% of the students avoided repeating previous mistakes by their final documentation activity. The vast majority of the students and evaluators found the system easy to use and the activities helpful.
The development, implementation, and initial expansion of the IMC system across both laboratory and pharmacotherapy courses was a success. Continued integration into clinical coursework is planned and will further expand opportunities for applied learning experiences to prepare students for their experiential program and beyond.
American journal of pharmaceutical education 07/2007; 71(3):53. · 1.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To compare nicotine pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of three new smokeless tobacco potential reduced exposure products (PREPs; Ariva, Revel and Stonewall) with moist snuff (Copenhagen) and medicinal nicotine (Commit lozenge).
10 subjects completed a randomised, within-subject, crossover study. Subjects used one product for 30 min at each of the five laboratory sessions. Maximal nicotine concentration (Cmax) was determined and area under the concentration time curve (AUC) was calculated for a 90-min period (during use and 60 min after use). Nicotine craving, withdrawal symptoms and ratings of product effects and liking were measured during product use.
Nicotine AUC and Cmax were higher for Copenhagen than for any other product (p<0.002) and higher for Commit than for either Ariva or Revel (p<0.001). Cmax for Commit was also higher than for Stonewall (p = 0.03). Craving was lowest during use of Copenhagen (p<0.03). Craving during use of Stonewall, Ariva and Commit was lower than during use of Revel (p<0.05). Withdrawal symptom score during use of Copenhagen was lower than during use of Revel (p = 0.009). Copenhagen scores were higher (p<0.005) than all other products in several measures of drug effects and liking (feel good effects, satisfaction, liking and desire for product, and strength of product).
The new smokeless tobacco PREPs result in lower nicotine concentrations and equivalent or lower reductions in subjective measures compared with medicinal nicotine. Since health effects of PREPs are largely unknown, medicinal nicotine should be preferentially encouraged for smokers or smokeless tobacco users wishing to switch to lower-risk products.
Tobacco control 04/2007; 16(2):138-42. · 3.85 Impact Factor
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Michael Kotlyar,
Lisa H Brauer,
Mustafa al'absi,
David E Adson,
William Robiner,
Paul Thuras,
Jennifer Harris,
Mary E Finocchi,
Carrie A Bronars,
Suzanne Candell,
Dorothy K Hatsukami
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ABSTRACT: 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.
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 04/2006; 83(3):370-9. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Depression is a common disorder in the elderly. Use of certain medications may be a potentially preventable cause of new-onset depression or worsening of established depression.
This paper reviews recent publications evaluating medications commonly used in the elderly as potential causes of depressive symptoms.
Relevant articles examining the association between medication use and symptoms of depression were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1996-March 2005) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1996-March 2005) using the MeSH heading depression and the subheading chemically induced. Included articles were limited to those that discussed medications commonly used in the elderly and that employed a rigorous study design.
A wide variety of medications have been implicated as potential causes of depressive symptoms in numerous reports, although many of these reports relied on data obtained from observational rather than experimental studies. The most extensively studied agents include anti hypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs, and selective estrogen-receptor modulators. The data on antihypertensive agents were contradictory; however, most studies found no association between use of the newer lipid-lowering drugs (statins) or selective estrogen-receptor modulators and the emergence of depressive symptoms. Corticosteroids, although not studied recently, generally have been associated with depressive symptoms in the older literature.
The recent data evaluating whether medications can induce or worsen symptoms of depression are largely contradictory. This reflects a relative lack of controlled studies of this association and the difficulties in determining whether depressive symptoms are caused by a particular medication or by other factors. Nonetheless, when new or worsening symptoms of depression occur, medications should be considered a potential cause and withdrawn as appropriate. Nonpharmacologic and/or pharmacologic treatment is indicated for those whose depressive symptoms do not resolve.
The American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy 01/2006; 3(4):288-300. · 2.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Paroxetine may decrease mental stress-induced cardiovascular responses and so benefit individuals with heart disease, even those with no psychiatric illness.
The effects of paroxetine on cardiovascular measures during a speech task were evaluated in psychiatrically healthy subjects with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Eight subjects completed this double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in which each subject took 1 month of paroxetine and 4 weeks of placebo in random order. While on each study, medication, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma norepinephrine concentrations were measured during a period of relaxation and during a mental stressor. The mental stressor consisted of thinking about a stressful topic, speaking about the topic, and listening to a tape-recorded replay of the speech.
While on paroxetine, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 10-15% lower (p < 0.005) during the stressor, relative to measures obtained while on placebo. Pulse and plasma norepinephrine concentrations during stress trended lower during paroxetine treatment but did not reach statistical significance.
Paroxetine has antihypertensive properties during periods of psychological stress in psychiatrically healthy subjects with a history of CAD, and so should be evaluated for potential cardio-protective qualities.
Psychopharmacologia 11/2005; 182(3):321-6. · 4.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the effect of continued smoking and smoking reduction on cardiovascular biomarkers (eg, WBC count, cholesterol concentrations, BP, heart rate).
This study, conducted at the University of Minnesota, randomized smokers interested in significantly reducing cigarette use but not quitting to either start 12 weeks of smoking reduction immediately (n = 102), assisted by nicotine replacement therapy, or to a 6-week wait list (n = 49). Those starting smoking reduction were required to reduce smoking by 25% for 2 weeks, 50% for 2 weeks, and 75% during the final 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, the subjects were asked to maintain a 50% reduction or quit. Nicotine gum and, if necessary, nicotine patch were used to achieve reduction goals. The wait list group (n = 49) smoked ad libitum for 6 weeks and then reduced smoking as previously described.
Cardiovascular biomarkers (eg, WBC count, cholesterol concentrations, BP, heart rate) were assessed at several time points after enrollment. During ad libitum smoking, cardiovascular biomarkers remained relatively stable with correlation coefficients across the various time measurements, ranging from 0.44 to 1.00 (p < 0.01 for all measures). Among successful nonabstinent reducers (64 of 151 subjects), significant improvements were found in many biomarkers (eg, hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC and WBC counts, lipids, BP, heart rate, respiratory symptoms, all p < 0.0167).
These results show the availability of reliable and dose-sensitive biomarkers and that reduction in smoking can lead to significant but only modest changes in cardiovascular risk factors in healthy smokers. It is not known whether the reductions in cardiovascular risk factors observed after smoking reduction are also associated with reduced disease risk. Additional research is necessary to address this issue.
Chest 10/2005; 128(4):2528-37. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of bupropion on cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity. Twenty-one subjects completed this repeated-measures study in which dextromethorphan (30-mg oral dose) was administered to smokers at baseline and after 17 days of treatment with either bupropion sustained-release (150 mg twice daily) or matching placebo. Subjects quit smoking 3 days before the second dextromethorphan administration. To assess CYP2D6 activity, urinary dextromethorphan/dextrorphan metabolic ratios were calculated after an 8-hour urine collection. Thirteen subjects received bupropion, and 8 received placebo. In those receiving active medication, the dextromethorphan/dextrorphan ratio increased significantly at the second assessment relative to the first (0.012 +/- 0.012 vs. 0.418 +/- 0.302; P < 0.0004). No such change was observed in those randomized to placebo (0.009 +/- 0.010 vs. 0.017 +/- 0.015; P = NS). At baseline, all subjects were phenotypically extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers (metabolic ratio <0.3); after treatment, 6 of 13 subjects receiving bupropion, but none of those receiving placebo, had metabolic ratios consistent with poor CYP2D6 metabolizers. Bupropion is therefore a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 activity, and care should be exercised when initiating or discontinuing bupropion use in patients taking drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 07/2005; 25(3):226-9. · 4.10 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the potential effect of fluoxetine, a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme inhibitor, on prednisolone disposition and cortisol suppression.
Sequential, two-phase, crossover, open-label pharmacokinetic study.
General clinical research center.
Fourteen healthy volunteers.
A single intravenous dose of prednisolone 40 mg before and after 14 days of treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for 5 days followed by 60 mg/day for 9 days to achieve steady-state concentrations.
Pharmacokinetic parameters of the prednisolone and resulting pharmacodynamic effects on the time course of plasma cortisol suppression before and after fluoxetine administration were evaluated. No significant differences were observed for the mean +/- SD area under the prednisolone concentration-time curve (3739 +/- 992 vs 3498 +/- 797 microg x hr/L, respectively), clearance (8.58 +/- 2.62 vs 8.92 +/- 2.05 L/hr, respectively), volume of distribution (39.5 +/- 12.4 vs 38.2 +/- 9.9 L, respectively), elimination half-life (3.32 +/- 0.83 vs 3.05 +/- 0.80 hrs, respectively), or duration of plasma cortisol suppression (23.5 +/- 3.1 vs 22.0 +/- 4.2 hrs, respectively).
Fluoxetine administration did not significantly affect prednisolone disposition or prolong cortisol suppression. This finding suggests that coadministration of these agents is unlikely to result in clinically important pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug interactions. Prednisolone may be a useful alternative for patients who require both glucocorticoid and fluoxetine therapy.
Pharmacotherapy 05/2004; 24(4):482-7. · 2.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tobacco harm reduction approaches are gaining increased attention. Much of this attention is due to a growing concern that significant populations of smokers either do not want to quit or believe they are unable to quit smoking, and to a concern over tobacco-industry attempts to produce tobacco products that claim to result in less toxin exposure. Decreasing tobacco toxin exposure as a method for reducing mortality and morbidity may be a reasonable tobacco control strategy. However, the impact of this strategy must be explored both on individual and population levels. A significant amount of independent research is needed to inform policy decisions. Regulatory authority over potential reduced exposure products is also essential.
Annual Review of Public Health 02/2004; 25:377-95. · 5.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine whether sustained-release bupropion promotes smoking reduction leading to smoking cessation among persons who wish to reduce their amount of smoking, but who are unwilling to quit or who perceive themselves as being unable to quit.
Current smokers were assigned randomly to receive either sustained-release bupropion (150 mg twice daily) or matching placebo. During an initial 6-month smoking reduction phase, those who were willing to quit entered a 7-week cessation phase, during which study medication was continued.
Four-week continuous abstinence rates were 14% (41/295) in the bupropion group and 8% (25/299) in the placebo group (P = 0.02) during treatment. However, this benefit did not continue after treatment was stopped; subsequent continuous abstinence rates were 7% (20/295) in the bupropion group and 5% (16/299) in the placebo group (P = 0.50). Similar proportions of subjects entered the cessation phase in both treatment groups (38% [n = 113] of those in the bupropion group and 34% [n = 101] of those in the placebo group), although the time until a cessation attempt was shorter for those taking bupropion (median, 64 days vs. 118 days, P = 0.008). The extent of smoking reduction (measured by urinary cotinine concentrations) among the 327 subjects who did not enter the cessation phase was significantly greater (P <0.05) in those treated with bupropion during the reduction treatment phase, but not during the month 12 follow-up visit (P = 0.25).
Sustained-release bupropion, when used in smokers initially not willing to make a cessation attempt, can help sustain smoking reduction while subjects are on active medication, reduce the time until the next cessation attempt, and increase short-term abstinence rates. However, these benefits were modest and not sustained after bupropion was discontinued.
The American Journal of Medicine 02/2004; 116(3):151-7. · 5.43 Impact Factor
