Topiramate and Bupropion
Two RCTs[34, 36] involving 223 smokers reported the smoking
cessation effects of Topiramate. The results of the meta-analysis showed
that Topiramate had no obvious smoking cessation effects (OR = 1.56,
95% CI: [0.67, 3.64], p = 0.31; Figure 5). As for Bupropion,
only one RCT[29] was included. The results of the original study
showed that the difference between the two groups was not statistically
significant in the fourth (p = 0.28) or ninth (p = 0.44) week of
treatment or after six months (p = 0.28). Bupropion did not increase the
smoking cessation rate.
Adverse events
A detailed analysis of the possible damaging effects to the body caused
by these drugs was made based on the adverse reactions reported in the
included studies. As shown in table 2, the four drugs may cause side
effects, including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, dry mouth,
sweating, insomnia, and dizziness. The difference in adverse reactions
between the drug treatment and placebo groups was tested based on the
value of the odds ratios (OR), the 95% confidence intervals, and the
p-value. With the exception of two studies[29] that reported
Naltrexone could cause more adverse events, the other studies all showed
that there were no significant differences in the occurrence of adverse
events between the treatment and control groups.