Researchers from Mayo Clinic, Medical Department publish new studies and findings in the area of alcoholism
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Studies examining the efficacy of tobacco dependence treatment among recovering alcoholic smokers have produced mixed findings. We set out to investigate this issue further by conducting a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of bupropion sustained-release (SR) for smoking relapse prevention among abstinent alcoholic smokers," investigators in the United States report. "(N = 195) met DSM-IV criteria for a history of alcohol abuse or dependence and had at least 1 year of continuous abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Open-label treatment with nicotine patch therapy was provided to all subjects for 8 weeks. The initial nicotine patch dose was determined by the subject's baseline serum cotinine concentration with an aim to achieve 100% cotinine replacement. All subjects who were confirmed abstinent from smoking throughout the final week of nicotine patch therapy (Week 8) were randomly assigned to receive bupropion SR 300 mg/day or placebo through Week 52. A total of 110 participants were randomized to the double-blind treatment. No significant difference was observed between the bupropion and placebo groups for rates of continuous smoking abstinence, 41.1% (95% CI = 28.1%-55.0%) versus 40.7% (95% CI = 27.6%-55.0%), respectively, p = 1.0, or point prevalence abstinence, 39.3% (95% CI = 26.5%-53.3%) versus 40.7% (95% CI = 27.6%-55.0%), respectively, p = 1.0, at the end of the treatment (Week 52). Relapse to alcohol occurred in 4% of subjects (n = 4) during the study," wrote J.T. Hays and colleagues, Mayo Clinic, Medical Department. The researchers concluded: "Treatment with bupropion SR among abstinent alcoholic smokers did not delay relapse or result in improved long-term smoking abstinence.." Hays and colleagues published their study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research (A randomized, controlled trial of bupropion sustained-release for preventing tobacco relapse in recovering alcoholics. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2009;11(7):859-867). For additional information, contact J.T. Hays, Mayo Clinic, Nicotine Dependence Center, College Medical, Dept. of Internal Medical, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. The publisher of the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research can be contacted at: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England. Keywords: United States, Rochester, Addiction Medicine, Alcoholism, Antidepressant, Bupropion, Clinical Trial Research, Drugs, Mental Health, Nicotine, Pharmaceuticals, Smoking, Therapy, Treatment, Mayo Clinic, Medical Department. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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