Varenicline versus bupropion SR or placebo for smoking cessation: a pooled analysis.

Author(s): Nides M, Glover ED, Reus VI, Christen AG, Make BJ, Billing CB Jr, Williams KE

Affiliation(s): Los Angeles Clinical Trials, 4116 W. Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505, USA. mnides@laclinicaltrials.com

Publication date & source: 2008-11, Am J Health Behav., 32(6):664-75.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate varenicline's efficacy for smoking cessation versus bupropion SR and placebo and to explore whether factors typically predictive of abstinence influence varenicline's efficacy versus placebo, as measured by the week 9-12 continuous abstinence rate (CAR9-12). METHODS: Smokers in 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trials received varenicline 1 mg BID (n=696), bupropion SR 150 mg BID (n=671), or placebo (n=685) for 12 weeks. Nontreatment followup lasted 40 weeks. RESULTS: CAR(9-12) was greater for varenicline (44.0%) versus bupropion SR (29.7%; P<0.0001) and placebo (17.7%; P<0.0001). CAR(9-12) for varenicline versus placebo was not affected by age, gender, or nicotine dependence level. CONCLUSIONS: Varenicline was more efficacious than bupropion SR or placebo. Varenicline's efficacy versus placebo was not influenced by factors predictive of abstinence.