A new study concludes that the antidepressant drug bupropion (Zyban), used alone or in combination with a nicotine patch, can significantly increase the chance of a successful smoking cessation effort.

researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison randomized 893 adults who smoked at least 15 cigarettes per day to one of three therapies or a placebo for one year to collect data.

found that 36% of those participants who used sustained-release bupropion and the nicotine patch were still not smoking one year after quitting, compared to 30% who used bupropion only, 16.4% who used the nicotine patch only, and 15.6% of those given a placebo.

the study was funded by Glaxo Wellcome, the manufacturer of bupropion.

The study is in The New England Journal of Medicine (1999;340:685-691).