EFFICACY OF BUSPIRONE IN SMOKING CESSATION - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Buspirone, a non-sedating anxiolytic, has yielded contradictory result s in smoking cessation pilot studies and trials. We tested buspirone ( n = 51) versus placebo (n = 49) in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of smoking cessation. Survival analyses were performed with use of strict abstinence criteria for efficacy (carbon monoxide levels les s than or equal to 8 ppm; no self-reported slips to smoking). No treat ment differences mere observed between active and placebo groups. Ther e were also no differences among ''anxiety'' level groups formed post hoc from high versus low, pre-quit anxiety test scores. A number of wi thdrawal symptoms increased significantly after subjects quit smoking for both the active drug and placebo groups, but these symptoms were n ot relieved by treatment. There appears to be little evidence that bus pirone is effective in smoking cessation or in the relief of withdrawa l associated with cessation in a general sample. Selecting for general ized anxiety or anxiety related to cessation is suggested for future t esting.