The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7204 p895-899
29 June 2002

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Quit rates achieved in bupropion launch trials matched in real world

Smoking cessation rates of 30 per cent with bupropion (Zyban) are being achieved in "real-world" community populations, according to primary care research supported by GlaxoSmithKline. The results have surprised the researchers, who did not expect cessation rates to match those of randomised controlled studies quoted by GSK at the drug's launch.

Dr Simon Holmes, a general practitioner in Nottingham, led the study, which recruited 529 patients across the United Kingdom, selected because they were using bupropion as part of a quit protocol.

At six months, 30 per cent of those recruited, and who had taken bupropion, were not smoking. For the intention-to-treat population, ie, all patients, including those who decided not to take the drug, the figure was 27 per cent.

The patients, whose mean age was 44.5 years (range 18 to 79 years), had smoked for an average of 28 years and 44 per cent had smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day.

Dr Holmes says he was surprised that the abstinence rates held up but adds: "What was really amazing is the fact that, for most patients, support was absolutely minimal — 83 per cent had two or fewer consultations after the initial prescription.

"As a GP I'm not saying that's ideal but really shows that this was a 'warts and all' picture of what's happening with Zyban."

The study results were presented at the 3rd European Conference on Tobacco or Health held in Warsaw last week.