[Bupropion use for smoking cessation in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy]

Abstract

Smoking is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Bupropion administration is an effective method to achieve smoking cessation (SC), but the drug is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and this might cause interactions with antiretroviral drugs. We present a prospective study of bupropion SC therapy in HIV-positive patients under antiretroviral treatment. A total of 21 patients were studied; 38% of them stopped smoking for more than one year. No clinically significant drug interactions were found. Bupropion SC therapy was effective in HIV-positive patients and did not cause significant clinical interactions with antiretroviral drugs.