Another Smoking-Cessation Trial

Bupropion plus a nicotine inhaler proved the most successful treatment, but long-term rates of abstinence were low for all approaches.

Therapeutic alternatives for smoking cessation include bupropion and several nicotine-replacement options. This U.S. multisite trial focused on bupropion and the nicotine inhaler.

Initially, 1700 smokers were randomized to receive a nicotine inhaler, sustained-release bupropion, or both. All subjects received monthly brief counseling sessions. At 3 months, abstinence rates in the three groups differed significantly (14%, 26%, and 34%, respectively).

Subjects who were abstinent at 3 months were randomized to a 9-month phase of relapse prevention with the same active treatment or placebo. During this phase, more than half of the 3-month abstainers relapsed, and active treatment did not prevent relapse better than placebo. For example, only abou…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Another Smoking-Cessation Trial

Topics

Reviewing Author