From the Guidelines
Buspirone is not recommended for smoking cessation due to lack of FDA approval and insufficient evidence supporting its effectiveness for this purpose. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021 in the journal JAMA 1, highlights the FDA-approved pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking dependence in adults, which include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release (SR), and varenicline. These medications have been shown to increase tobacco smoking cessation rates, with varenicline appearing to be more effective than NRT or bupropion SR 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Buspirone is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, working on serotonin receptors rather than directly addressing nicotine addiction mechanisms.
- The medications with established effectiveness for smoking cessation, as recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force, are nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and bupropion.
- If you're seeking medication to help quit smoking, it's best to use one of these evidence-based options, such as bupropion, which is typically started at 150 mg once daily for 3 days, then increased to 150 mg twice daily for 7-12 weeks.
Recommendation
Given the lack of evidence supporting the use of buspirone for smoking cessation, it is recommended to use FDA-approved medications, such as nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, or bupropion, under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This approach prioritizes the patient's morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes, as these medications have been proven to be effective in increasing tobacco smoking cessation rates 1.
From the Research
Dosage of Buspirone for Smoking Cessation
- There is no mention of Buspirone being used for smoking cessation in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies discuss various pharmacological treatments for smoking cessation, including nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline, but do not mention Buspirone as a treatment option 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication, and its use for smoking cessation is not supported by the provided evidence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Alternative Treatments for Smoking Cessation
- Nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline are recommended as first-line pharmacological treatments for smoking cessation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Combination pharmacotherapy, such as combining nicotine replacement therapy with bupropion or varenicline, may be effective for highly nicotine-dependent smokers or those who have failed with monotherapy 3, 5.
- Behavioral interventions, such as counseling and support, are also important components of smoking cessation treatment 2, 3, 4.