A Cochrane review included 7 RCTs with a total of 340 patients with schizophrenia. The trials comparing bupropion with placebo showed that smoking cessation rates after bupropion were significantly higher at the end of treatment (RR 2.84; 95% CI 1.61 to 4.99; 7 trials, n=340) and after 6 months (RR 2.78; 95% CI 1.02 to 7.58; 5 trials, n=214). Expired carbon monoxide level and the number of cigarettes smoked daily were significantly lower with bupropion at the end of therapy (MD -10.77, 95% CI -16.52 to -5.01; 3 trials, n=184) but not after 6 months (MD 0.40, 95% CI -5.72 to 6.53; 2 trials, n=104). There were no significant differences in positive, negative and depressive symptoms between bupropion and placebo group. There was no report of major adverse event such as seizures with bupropion.
Comment: The quality of the evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate allocation concealment).