An efficacy analysis of bupropion for smoking cessation in schizophrenia

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bupropion for smoking cessation in schizophrenia.METHODS A randomized and double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted for smoking cessation.The experimental group(n = 36) treated with bupropion tablet 150 ～ 300 mg·d-1 and the control group(n = 33) with placebo were carried out for 4 weeks and observed for 8 weeks.Efficacy and adverse reactions were assessed by cessation diary, the score of tobacco dependence, withdrawal rate, TESS, laboratory examination, respectively;and the changes of psychiatric symptoms.was evaluated by BPRS Statistical with SPSS13.0 software was used for data processing with t test, nonparametric test and χ2 test for efficacy analysis.RESULTS A total of 69 male schizophrenia in hospital showed the decrement of cigarettes use per day more significantly in the experimental group than that in the control group(P 0.01) after 1 week of the treatment.The efficacy rates at the end of 4th and 8th week of the experimental group were 33.3% and 27.8% respectively, showing significant difference with the control group(9.1% and 6.1%, respectively)(P 0.01) .The common adverse reactions of the experimental group were insomnia, dry mouth, restlessness, headache, nausea, and diaphoresis, etc, showing higher incidences and significant difference with the control group(P 0.05) .CONCLUSION Bupropion with mild adverse reactions and well toleration is effective and safe for smoking cessation in patients with schizophrenia.