Simple to Quit Smoking?

This article talks about antidepressant therapy aiding in the quitting of smoking. Participants in the study began a one week baseline where they received no medication then began the antidepressant therapy two weeks before attempting to quit smoking. The starting does was 75 mg/day then it was increased to 150 mg/day in the week before quitting. After quitting the dose was increased in 37.5 mg increments to a maximum of 225 mg/day. The outcome of the study has shown that the antidepressant therapy using venlafaxine and behavioral counseling does not improve cessation in a main effect analysis. However, taking the baseline stage into account venlafaxine may improve the chances of abstinence of lighter smokers. Participants that had smoked less than a pack of cigarettes a day were able to remain abstinent significantly more often a year later when provided with venlafaxine. Participants who smoked 20-24 cigarettes per day were also able to benefit but only at the end of treatment. These results may be able to assist those who smoke occasionally to kick the habit easier than just stopping cold turkey.

ABSTRACT 

Cinciripini, Paul M.; Tsoh, Janice Y.; Wetter, David W.; Lam, Cho; de Moor, Carl; Cinciripini, Lynn; Baile, Walter; Anderson, Cheryl; Minna, John D. Combined effects of venlafaxine, nicotine replacement, and brief counseling on smoking cessation. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol 13(4), Nov 2005, 282-292.