Abstinence Rates Achieved With Buproprion Corrected

Dr. Paul Cinciripini and I wrote an article entitled, "Smoking Cessation: Recent Developments in Behavioral and Pharmacologic Interventions," which was published in the February issue of oncology . It has been brought to our attention that several of the abstinence rates quoted in the discussion of buproprion (Zyban) in this article were incorrect. The following erratum contains the corrected figures:

The FDA recently approved the antidepressant buproprion, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, for use in smoking cessation treatment. The results of a recently published trial (N Engl J Med 337:1195-1203, 1997) show that 7-week quit rates for smokers receiving 100, 150, or 300 mg/d of buproprion averaged 28.8%, 38.6%, and 44.2%, respectively, as compared with 19% in the placebo group. At 12 months, significant effects were noted only for those receiving 150 to 300 mg/d of buproprion (23%), vs 12% in the placebo group. Brief individual counseling was also provided to all participants in conjunction with the drug. Buproprion showed a minimal side effect profile, and results are similar to those observed for the nicotine patch alone.

In addition, unpublished marketing data provided by GlaxoWellcome from a multicenter clinical trial using both the nicotine patch and buproprion show significantly higher 4-week quit rates for smokers receiving brief counseling, buproprion, and transdermal nicotine replacement (58%), compared with those receiving only the counseling plus buproprion (49%) or counseling plus placebo (23%). These results are quite promising and suggest that combination treatments, including counseling, nicotine replacement, and antidepressant chemotherapy, have considerable promise in the treatment of nicotine dependence.

JENNIFER B. MCCLURE, PHD
Research AssociateDepartment of Behavioral ScienceThe University of TexasM. D. Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas