Antidepressants Don't Prevent Smoking Among ADHD Patients, Study Says
The antidepressant bupropion is ineffective in preventing smoking among youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Reuters reported Aug. 29.
Bupropion is sold as Zyban as a stop-smoking aid and as Wellbutrin for treating depression or seasonal-affective disorder. Since youth with ADHD are at high risk for smoking, it was hoped that the drug would have a preventive effect in this population.
But researchers found that a placebo group had a far lower rate of nicotine exposure than a group receiving bupropion. On the other hand, stimulants did appear to cut smoking risk.
The study was published in the July 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
