Bupropion sustained release and smoking cessation.

The identification of nicotine dependence as a psychiatric disorder and increased knowledge of nicotine's neuropharmacologic effects have stimulated researchers to search for new pharmacologic interventions for smoking cessation. After reviewing the efficacy and safety of bupropion sustained release (SR) as an agent for treating smoking cessation, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of bupropion SR for this indication. This paper reviews nicotine's pharmacologic effects and the factors contributing to the development of nicotine dependence, the general principles and strategies for treating nicotine dependence, and the evidence for the efficacy of bupropion SR as a treatment for smoking cessation. The release of bupropion SR as a treatment for smoking cessation may provide clinicians with additional opportunities to address smoking cessation with their patients.