Preliminary study of buprenorphine and bupropion for opioid-dependent smokers.

Author(s): Mooney ME, Poling J, Gonzalez G, Gonsai K, Kosten T, Sofuoglu M

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry, Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, USA. moon0078@umn.edu

Publication date & source: 2008-07, Am J Addict., 17(4):287-92.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, bupropion (BUPRO, 300 mg/day) was compared to placebo (PBO) for the concurrent treatment of opioid and tobacco addiction in 40 opioid-dependent smokers stabilized on buprenorphine (BUPRE, 24 mg/day). Participants received contingent, monetary reinforcement for abstinence from smoking, illicit opioids, and cocaine. Significant differences in treatment retention were observed (BUPRE+BUPRO, 58%; BUPRE+PBO, 90%). BUPRO treatment was not more effective than placebo for abstinence from tobacco, opioids, or cocaine in BUPRE-stabilized patients. These preliminary findings do not support the efficacy of BUPRO, in combination with BUPRE, for the concurrent treatment of opioid and tobacco addiction.