Fluoxetine, smoking, and history of major depression: A randomized controlled trial.

Author(s): Spring B, Doran N, Pagoto S, McChargue D, Cook JW, Bailey K, Crayton J, Hedeker D

Affiliation(s): Psychology Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. bspring@northwestern.edu

Publication date & source: 2007-02, J Consult Clin Psychol., 75(1):85-94.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

The study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial testing whether fluoxetine selectively enhances cessation for smokers with a history of depression. Euthymic smokers with (H+, n = 109) or without (H-, n = 138) a history of major depression received 60 mg fluoxetine or placebo plus group behavioral quit-smoking treatment for 12 weeks. Fluoxetine initially enhanced cessation for H+ smokers (p = .02) but subsequently impaired cessation regardless of depressive history. Six months after quit date, fluoxetine-treated participants were 3.3 times more likely to be smoking (p = .02). Further research is warranted to determine why high-dose fluoxetine produces continuing effects that oppose tobacco abstinence. Copyright 2007 APA, all rights reserved.