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A Retrospective Comparison of Varenicline Monotherapy Versus the Combination of Varenicline and Bupropion or Bupropion and Nicotine Patches in a VA Tobacco Cessation Clinic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Dane Shiltz*
Affiliation:
Methodist Hospital (Indiana University Health), Indianapolis, United States of America. DaneShiltz@gmail.com
Angie Paniagua
Affiliation:
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, United States of America.
James E. Hastings
Affiliation:
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, United States of America.
*
*Address for correspondence: Dane Shiltz, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Inpatient Family Medicine, Methodist Hospital (Indiana University Health), 1701 N. Senate Blvd., AG 401, Indianapolis, IN.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether the combination of bupropion SR and varenicline offers improved smoking cessation outcomes compared to varenicline monotherapy or to combination of bupro-pion SR and nicotine patch. Methods: This retrospective chart review included 489 volunteer enrolees in a Veterans Affairs (VA) tobacco cessation clinic who received one of the three treatments upon clinic enrolment. The study endpoints were smoking cessation and clinic completion rates, changes in the number of cigarettes smoked, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, urges to smoke, self-confidence to quit and medication-attributed adverse effects. Results: The relative smoking cessation rates were 33%, 32%, and 40% for bupropion SR and nicotine patch, bupropion SR and varenicline, and varenicline groups, respectively. The 0.21 p value established that no significant cessation rate differences existed between any of the groups. Varenicline alone or in combination was as well tolerated as the combination of bupropion SR and nicotine patch. Conclusions: The combination of bupropion SR and varenicline did not demonstrate any smoking cessation advantage over varenicline monotherapy or the combination of bupropion SR and nicotine patch and therefore do not support the use of bupro-pion SR and varenicline over varenicline monotherapy.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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