The Success Rate of Sustained-Release Bupropion for Smoking Cessation with 7 Week Follow-Up

Jun, Min Cheol; So, Sung Yon; Cho, Hong Jun; Sun, Woo Sung

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bupropion SR (sustained-release) is the first non-nicotine-based therapy that is effective for achieving abstinence from smoking. We conducted this clinical trial of bupropion SR for smoking cessation with a seven week follow-up.
METHODS
The study subjects involved fifty smokers who had visited the Family Medicine Department at Asan Medical Center from May 2003 to January 2004. Treatment consisted of seven weeks of bupropion 150 mg twice daily. The target day for quitting smoking was day 7.
RESULTS
Among 50 subjects who had received bupropion SR, 28 subjects completed the clinical trial and were analyzed. Nineteen subjects were lost to follow up after their first visit. Three subjects discontinued the medication on their own and were lost to follow up after their second visit. According to a telephone interview, 17 subjects out of 22 subjects who were lost failed to feel the need of a revisit for smoking cessation. The rate of abstinence was 26.77% at week 7. The major causes of relapse in smoking were stressful events and anxiety. Only one subject discontinued the treatment attributed to adverse event (nausea). The most common adverse events were insomnia, anxiety, arthralgia, and nausea. We studied to see if the amount of smoking, other smokers in the household, previous attempts to quit, Beck Depression Inventory, and Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire were associated with smoking cessation. However, they failed to show any significant correlation.
CONCLUSION
This trial showed that the abstinence rate at the end of 7th week was 25.7% without any serious adverse events.