Table #1.
Meta-analysis (2008)*: Effectiveness and abstinence rates for various medications and medication combinations compared to placebo at 6-months post-quit (n=83 studies)
| Medication | Number of arms | Estimated odds ratio (95% C.I.) | Estimated % abstinence rate (95% C.I.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 80 | 1.0 | 13.8 |
| Monotherapies | |||
| Varenicline (2 mg/day) | 5 | 3.1 (2.5 – 3.8) | 33.2 (28.9 – 37.8) |
| Nicotine Nasal Spray | 4 | 2.3 (1.7 – 3.0) | 26.7 (21.5 – 32.7) |
| High-Dose Nicotine Patch (> 25 mg) (These included both standard or long- term duration) | 4 | 2.3 (1.7– 3.0) | 26.5 (21.3 – 32.5) |
| Long-Term Nicotine Gum (> 14 weeks) | 6 | 2.2 (1.5 – 3.2) | 26.1 (19.7 – 33.6) |
| Varenicline (1 mg/day) | 3 | 2.1 (1.5 – 3.0) | 25.4 (19. 6 – 32.2) |
| Nicotine Inhaler | 6 | 2.1 (1.5 – 2.9) | 24.8 (19.1 – 31.6) |
| Clonidine | 3 | 2.1 (1.2 – 3.7) | 25.0 (15.7 – 37.3) |
| Bupropion SR | 26 | 2.0 (1.8 – 2.2) | 24.2 (22.2 – 26.4) |
| Nicotine Patch (6–14 weeks) | 32 | 1.9 (1.7 – 2.2) | 23.4 (21.3 – 25.8) |
| Long-Term Nicotine Patch (> 14 weeks) | 10 | 1.9 (1.7 – 2.3) | 23.7 (21.0 – 26.6) |
| Nortriptyline | 5 | 1.8 (1.3 – 2.6) | 22.5 (16.8 – 29.4) |
| Nicotine Gum (6–14 weeks) | 15 | 1.5 (1.2 – 1.7) | 19.0 (16.5 – 21.9) |
| Combination Therapies | |||
| Patch (long-term; > 14 weeks) + ad lib NRT (gum or spray) |
3 | 3.6 (2.5 – 5.2) | 36.5 (28.6 – 45.3) |
| Patch + Bupropion SR | 3 | 2.5 (1.9 – 3.4) | 28.9 (23.5 – 35.1) |
| Patch + Nortriptyline | 2 | 2.3 (1.3 – 4.2) | 27.3 (17.2 – 40.4) |
| Patch + Inhaler | 2 | 2.2 (1.3 – 3.6) | 25.8 (17.4 – 36.5) |
| Patch + Second generation antidepressants (paroxetine, venlafaxine) | 3 | 2.0 (1.2 – 3.4) | 24.3 (16.1 – 35.0) |
| Medications not shown to be effective | |||
| Selective Serotonin Re-uptake inhibitors | 3 | 1.0 (0.7 – 1.4) | 13.7 (10.2 – 18.0) |
| Naltrexone | 2 | 0.5 (0.2 – 1.2) | 7.3 (3.1 – 16.2) |
*
Adapted from Clinical Practice Guideline PHS 2008