Overall , nicotine replacement therapy , bupropion , and varenicline have all proven their effectiveness at either promoting smoking abstinence or a significant reduction in cigarette use
Smoking cessation is a chronic issue surrounding individuals with schizophrenia .
It is estimated that up to 90 % of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes .
The purpose of this article is to provide a non systematic review of the efficacy of  smoking cessation interventions as well as to explore the potential neuropsychiatric adverse effects of these agents in patients with schizophrenia .
A 12-Week Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Bupropion SR Added to High-Dose Dual Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation or Reduction in Schizophrenia
The objective of this study was to examine whether there is a benefit of adding bupropion SR to high-dose combination nicotine replacement therapy ( NRT ) and weekly group cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) for smoking reduction or cessation in schizophrenia . Fifty-one adult smokers with schizophrenia were r and omly assigned to a 12-week trial of bupropion SR 300 mg/d or placebo added to transdermal nicotine patch , nicotine polacrilex gum , and CBT . The treatment goal was smoking cessation . The primary outcome measure was biochemically confirmed 7-day point-prevalence of 50 % to 100 % smoking reduction at week 12 . Secondary outcomes were biochemically confirmed tobacco abstinence and change from baseline in expired air carbon monoxide ( CO ) and psychiatric symptoms . Subjects on bupropion + NRT had a greater rate of 50 % to 100 % smoking reduction at weeks 12 ( 60 % vs. 31 % ; P = 0.036 ) and 24 , a lower expired air CO in the treatment and follow-up periods , ( F = 13.8 ; P < 0.001 ) and a greater continuous abstinence rate at week 8 , before NRT taper , ( 52 % vs. 19 % ; P = 0.014 ) . However , relapse rates in subjects on bupropion + dual NRT were 31 % during NRT taper ( weeks 8 - 12 ) and 77 % at the 12-month follow-up . Abstinence rates did not differ by treatment group at weeks 12 ( 36 % vs. 19 % ) , 24 ( 20 % vs. 8 % ) , or 52 ( 12 % vs. 8 % ) . Because abstinence rates were high during treatment with combination pharmacotherapy and relapse rates were very high during taper and after discontinuation of treatment , study of longer term treatment with combination pharmacotherapy and CBT for sustained abstinence is warranted in those who attain initial abstinence with this intervention
Overall , nicotine replacement therapy , bupropion , and varenicline have all proven their effectiveness at either promoting smoking abstinence or a significant reduction in cigarette use
Smoking cessation is a chronic issue surrounding individuals with schizophrenia .
It is estimated that up to 90 % of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes .
The purpose of this article is to provide a non systematic review of the efficacy of  smoking cessation interventions as well as to explore the potential neuropsychiatric adverse effects of these agents in patients with schizophrenia .