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The efficacy of the combination of sertraline with buspirone for smoking cessation

A randomized clinical trial in nondepressed smokers

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Abstract

In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated the efficacy of the combination of sertraline and buspirone plus cognitive-behavioral treatment to promote tobacco abstinence in individuals referred to a chemical dependency clinic. Ninety eight individuals 18–65 years of age were randomized to placebo or sertraline 25 mg/day for 2 days, followed by 50 mg from day 3 to 90, and buspirone 5 mg three times a day for 7 days, and 10 mg from day 8 to 90. The rate of continuous abstinence at the 26th week of follow-up, informed by the patient, was 43.5% in the active treatment group and 17.3% in the control group (p = 0.01). The odds ratio for continuous abstinence for the intervention group was 4.74 (95% CI 1.50–14.55) (adjusted for smoker households and number of cognitive sessions). Nicotine withdrawal symptoms were common in both groups (98.7% vs. 95.5% p = 0.37). The combination of sertraline and buspirone with cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective than placebo and cognitive-behavioral therapy to promote smoking cessation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Marcelino Ramos 111/401, Passo Fundo, RS, 99010-160, Brazil

    Jorge Luiz Carrão MD

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Martim Aranha 100/1302A, Porto Alegre, RS, 90520-020, Brazil

    Leila Beltrami Moreira MD, PhD

  3. Division of Cardiology, Serviço de Cardiologia, Sala 2061, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil

    Flávio Danni Fuchs MD, PhD

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  1. Jorge Luiz Carrão MD
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  2. Leila Beltrami Moreira MD, PhD
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  3. Flávio Danni Fuchs MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Leila Beltrami Moreira MD, PhD.

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Carrão, J.L., Moreira, L.B. & Fuchs, F.D. The efficacy of the combination of sertraline with buspirone for smoking cessation. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosc 257, 383–388 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-007-0726-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-007-0726-2

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