The effect of bupropion on nicotine craving and withdrawal

Rationale and objectives: Bupropion has demonstrated efficacy for smoking c essation. Given the importance of nicotine craving and withdrawal in the sm oking cessation process, the current study examined the effects of bupropio n on these parameters during smoking abstinence, Methods: During a 2-day Ba seline phase with ad lib smoking, 91 non-depressed smokers (who were not tr ying to quit permanently) were administered measures of nicotine craving, w ithdrawal symptoms, and timed measures of cognitive performance five times daily. Participants were then assigned randomly to a 14-day treatment regim en with bupropion 300 mg/day, bupropion 150 mg/day, or placebo. Thereafter, the above measures were re-administered during 3 days of abstinence on a c losed research ward. Results: Relative to placebo, 300 mg bupropion signifi cantly reduced abstinence-associated increases in rated depression, difficu lty concentrating, and irritability, and attenuated a decrease in positive affect. The results also suggested that bupropion might have a positive eff ect on performance measures during the withdrawal period. No effects were o bserved on craving, anxiety, restlessness, or hunger. The lack of findings on craving measures may be explained by a floor effect; except on the first day of abstinence, neither drug nor placebo groups showed much craving ele vation during abstinence. Conclusions: Study results indicate that bupropio n ameliorates some nicotine withdrawal symptoms.