Bupropion sustained release for pregnant smokers: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions among pregnant women: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To carry out a systematic review of systematic reviews with an update of the existing evidence relating to a broad range of smoking cessation interventions, including psycho-social, digital and pharmacologic interventions, for pregnant women.

DATA-SOURCES

Search was conducted in March 2022 in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane in two stages: 1) a search of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, published from January 2012 through January 2022; 2) an update of those that fulfilled eligibility criteria reproducing the primary search strategy.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We selected randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of pharmacological, digital, and psychosocial interventions in aged 18 years and over who were daily smokers, and compared these with routine care, less intense interventions or placebo.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Data from eligible studies were manually extracted by two authors and reviewed by a third. The quality of the reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR scale, and risk of bias was measured with the Rob-2 tool and GRADE level of evidence.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 63 RCTs (n = 19849 women). The interventions found to be effective were: financial incentives (RR:1.77; 95%CI:1.21-2.58), counseling (RR:1.27; 95%CI:1.13-1.43) and long-term nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (RR:1.53; 95%CI:1.16-2.01). Short-term NRT, bupropion, digital interventions, feedback, social support, and exercise showed no effectiveness. The GRADE level of evidence was moderate-to-high for all interventions, with the exception of long-term NRT.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation are the most effective for pregnant women. The moderator analysis suggests that pregnant women of low socioeconomic status might benefit less from smoking cessation interventions than women of a high socioeconomic status. These women are usually heavier smokers that live in pro-smoking environments and could require more intensive and targeted interventions.

Nicotine Use During Pregnancy: Cessation and Treatment Strategies

Abstract

The use of tobacco and nicotine products during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of adverse effects on the fetus. Increased education and research have resulted in greater rates of smoking cessation during pregnancy, with a decline from 13.2% of pregnant individuals smoking in 2006 to 7.2% in 2016. However, smoking while pregnant still proves to be a prevalent issue that is associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental delays. Smoking cessation before or during pregnancy can help mitigate these effects, but the appropriate treatment can be challenging to ascertain. Accordingly, clinicians should look to provide individualized care composed of behavioral counseling in conjunction with pharmacotherapies when indicated, combined with ongoing support and education.

Initiating Pharmacologic Treatment in Tobacco-Dependent Adults

There is a strong evidence base for the use of existing pharmacotherapies to support tobacco cessation, alone or in combination, ideally with concurrent behavioral interventions. Future pharmacotherapies under development may assist in the most refractory cases. Incorporating current and future therapies into a longitudinal chronic care model for tobacco dependence will help a diverse range of patients achieve independence from nicotine addiction.

Electronic cigarettes versus nicotine patches for smoking cessation in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of nicotine patches, is commonly offered to pregnant women who smoke to help them to stop smoking, but this approach has limited efficacy in this population. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are also used by pregnant women who smoke but their safety and efficacy in pregnancy are unknown. Here, we report the results of a randomized controlled trial in 1,140 participants comparing refillable e-cigarettes with nicotine patches. Pregnant women who smoked were randomized to e-cigarettes (n = 569) or nicotine patches (n = 571). In the unadjusted analysis of the primary outcome, validated prolonged quit rates at the end of pregnancy in the two study arms were not significantly different (6.8% versus 4.4% in the e-cigarette and patch arms, respectively; relative risk (RR) = 1.55, 95%CI: 0.95-2.53, P = 0.08). However, some participants in the nicotine patch group also used e-cigarettes during the study. In a pre-specified sensitivity analysis excluding abstinent participants who used non-allocated products, e-cigarettes were more effective than patches (6.8% versus 3.6%; RR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.14-3.26, P = 0.02). Safety outcomes included adverse events and maternal and birth outcomes. The safety profile was found to be similar for both study products, however, low birthweight (<2,500 g) was less frequent in the e-cigarette arm (14.8% versus 9.6%; RR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.47-0.90, P = 0.01). Other adverse events and birth outcomes were similar in the two study arms. E-cigarettes might help women who are pregnant to stop smoking, and their safety for use in pregnancy is similar to that of nicotine patches. ISRCTN62025374.

Cessation classification likelihood increases with higher expired-air carbon monoxide cutoffs: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Expired-air carbon monoxide (CO) is commonly used to biochemically verify smoking status. The CO cutoff and CO monitor brand may affect the probability of classifying smokers as abstinent, thus influencing conclusions about the efficacy of cessation trials. No systematic reviews have tested this hypothesis. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis examining whether the likelihood of smoking cessation classification varied due to CO cutoff and monitor brand.

METHODS

Eligible studies (k = 122) longitudinally assessed CO-verified cessation in adult smokers in randomized trials. Primary meta-regressions separately assessed differences in quit classification likelihood due to continuous and categorical CO cutoffs (Low, 3-4 parts per million [ppm]; [SRNT] Recommended, 5-6 ppm; Moderate, 7-8 ppm; and High, 9-10 ppm); exploratory analyses compared likelihood outcomes between monitor brands: Bedfont and Vitalograph.

RESULTS

The likelihood of quit classification increased 18% with each 1 ppm increase above the lowest cutoff (3 ppm). Odds of classification as quit significantly increased between each cutoff category and High: 261% increase from Low; 162% increase from Recommended; and 150% increase from Moderate. There were no differences in cessation classification between monitor brands.

CONCLUSIONS

As expected, higher CO cutoffs were associated with greater likelihood of cessation classification. The lack of CO monitor brand differences may have been due to model-level variance not able to be followed up in the present dataset. Researchers are advised to report outcomes using a range of cutoffs-including the recommended range (5-6 ppm)-and the CO monitor brand/model used. Using higher CO cutoffs significantly increases likelihood of quit classification, possibly artificially elevating treatment strategies.

Placebo-controlled trial of bupropion for smoking cessation in pregnant women

BACKGROUND

Although a relatively small proportion of women who become pregnant continue to smoke cigarettes, no smoking cessation medication has been shown to be effective for this subgroup of smokers. Bupropion, a nonnicotine-based medication, is approved for the promotion of smoking cessation in nonpregnant individuals. We chose to study it in pregnant smokers because, although pregnancy increases nicotine metabolism, it does not affect the metabolism of bupropion.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation among pregnant women.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a multiple site, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of bupropion for tobacco use among pregnant women (N=129) (clinical trial number NCT02188459). We enrolled women during the second trimester and randomly assigned them to receive 10 weeks of treatment with either bupropion or placebo, accompanied by a total of 6 smoking cessation counseling sessions (4 during treatment and 2 postpartum). The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence, confirmed with breath carbon monoxide measurements, at the end of treatment (week 10) and at week 24. Group differences were assessed as a binary abstinence outcome using a repeated measure generalized estimating equations model with a logit link. Prolonged abstinence and smoking rates were secondary outcomes. Safety measures included maternal treatment-related adverse events, gestational age, the rate of overall and spontaneous preterm births and infant birthweight and size for gestational age, head circumference, and 5-minute Apgar scores.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the safety measures across the treatment arms and bupropion was not efficacious in promoting smoking cessation at the end of treatment (7-day point prevalence quit rates: bupropion, 11.0%; placebo, 18.5%) or week 24 (7-day point prevalence quit rates: bupropion, 9.4%; placebo, 21.5%) (P>.05). African American women and women with a lower severity of nicotine dependence had significantly higher quit rates overall and women with an opioid use disorder who were being treated with opioid agonist therapy had significantly lower quit rates overall, irrespective of the treatment group (all P values <.05).

CONCLUSION

Although bupropion use was not associated with an elevated risk for pregnancy complications when initiated in the second trimester, it did not increase the likelihood of smoking cessation in this cohort of pregnant women. Because smoking is the major preventable source of poor pregnancy outcomes and psychosocial interventions have only modest beneficial effects, additional studies are needed to identify safe and efficacious smoking cessation medications for pregnant women who continue to smoke.

Pharmacological interventions for promoting smoking cessation during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking in pregnancy causes serious health problems for the developing fetus and mother. When used by non-pregnant smokers, pharmacotherapies (nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and varenicline) are effective for increasing smoking cessation, however their efficacy and safety in pregnancy remains unknown. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are becoming widely used, but their efficacy and safety when used for smoking cessation in pregnancy are also unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and safety of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies and ECs used during pregnancy for smoking cessation in later pregnancy and after childbirth, and to determine adherence to smoking cessation pharmacotherapies and ECs for smoking cessation during pregnancy.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (20 May 2019), trial registers, and grey literature, and checked references of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in pregnant women, comparing smoking cessation pharmacotherapy or EC use with either placebo or no pharmacotherapy/EC control. We excluded quasi-randomised, cross-over, and within-participant designs, and RCTs with additional intervention components not matched between trial arms.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed standard Cochrane methods. The primary efficacy outcome was smoking cessation in later pregnancy; safety was assessed by 11 outcomes (principally birth outcomes) that indicated neonatal and infant well-being. We also collated data on adherence to trial treatments. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome for each study, where possible. We grouped eligible studies according to the type of comparison. We carried out meta-analyses where appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 11 trials that enrolled a total of 2412 pregnant women who smoked at enrolment, nine trials of NRT and two trials of bupropion as adjuncts to behavioural support, with comparable behavioural support provided in the control arms. No trials investigated varenicline or ECs. We assessed four trials as at low risk of bias overall. The overall certainty of the evidence was low across outcomes and comparisons as assessed using GRADE, with reductions in confidence due to risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. Compared to placebo and non-placebo (behavioural support only) controls, there was low-certainty evidence that NRT increased the likelihood of smoking abstinence in later pregnancy (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.74; I² = 34%, 9 studies, 2336 women). However, in subgroup analysis by comparator type, there was a subgroup difference between placebo-controlled and non-placebo controlled RCTs (test for subgroup differences P = 0.008). There was unclear evidence of an effect in placebo-controlled RCTs (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.55; I² = 0%, 6 studies, 2063 women), whereas non-placebo-controlled trials showed clearer evidence of a benefit (RR 8.55, 95% CI 2.05 to 35.71; I² = 0%, 3 studies, 273 women). An additional subgroup analysis in which studies were grouped by the type of NRT used found no difference in the effectiveness of NRT in those using patches or fast-acting NRT (test for subgroup differences P = 0.08). There was no evidence of a difference between NRT and control groups in rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birthweight, low birthweight, admissions to neonatal intensive care, caesarean section, congenital abnormalities, or neonatal death. In one study infants born to women who had been randomised to NRT had higher rates of 'survival without developmental impairment' at two years of age compared to the placebo group. Non-serious adverse effects observed with NRT included headache, nausea, and local reactions (e.g. skin irritation from patches or foul taste from gum), but data could not be pooled. Adherence to NRT treatment regimens was generally low. We identified low-certainty evidence that there was no difference in smoking abstinence rates observed in later pregnancy in women using bupropion when compared to placebo control (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.21 to 2.64; I² = 0%, 2 studies, 76 women). Evidence investigating the safety outcomes of bupropion use was sparse, but the existing evidence showed no difference between the bupropion and control group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

NRT used for smoking cessation in pregnancy may increase smoking cessation rates in late pregnancy. However, this evidence is of low certainty, as the effect was not evident when potentially biased, non-placebo-controlled RCTs were excluded from the analysis. Future studies may therefore change this conclusion. We found no evidence that NRT has either positive or negative impacts on birth outcomes; however, the evidence for some of these outcomes was also judged to be of low certainty due to imprecision and inconsistency. We found no evidence that bupropion may be an effective aid for smoking cessation during pregnancy, and there was little evidence evaluating its safety in this population. Further research evidence on the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy and EC use for smoking cessation in pregnancy is needed, ideally from placebo-controlled RCTs that achieve higher adherence rates and that monitor infants' outcomes into childhood. Future RCTs of NRT should investigate higher doses than those tested in the studies included in this review.

Use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies during pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Varenicline, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are three effective pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation, but data about their safety in pregnancy are limited. We assessed the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and major congenital anomalies associated with the use of these therapies in pregnancy in Australia.

METHODS

Perinatal data for 1,017,731 deliveries (2004 to 2012) in New South Wales and Western Australia were linked to pharmaceutical dispensing, hospital admission and death records. We identified 97,875 women who smoked during pregnancy; of those, 233, 330 and 1057 were exposed to bupropion, NRT and varenicline in pregnancy, respectively. Propensity scores were used to match exposed women to those who were unexposed to any smoking therapy (1:10 ratio). Propensity scores and gestational age at exposure were used to match varenicline-exposed to NRT-exposed women (1:1 ratio). Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for any adverse perinatal event (a composite of 10 unfavourable maternal and neonatal outcomes) and any major congenital anomaly.

RESULTS

The risk of any adverse perinatal event was not significantly different between bupropion-exposed and unexposed women (39.2% versus 39.3%, HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.73-1.19) and between NRT-exposed and unexposed women (44.8% vs 46.3%, HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.84-1.23), but it was significantly lower in women exposed to varenicline (36.9% vs 40.1%, HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.97). Varenicline-exposed infants were less likely than unexposed infants to be born premature (6.5% vs 8.9%, HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.92), be small for gestational age (11.4% vs 15.4%, HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.83) and have severe neonatal complications (6.6% vs 8.2%, HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.96). Among infants exposed to varenicline in the first trimester, 2.9% had a major congenital anomaly (3.5% in unexposed infants, HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.72-1.15). Varenicline-exposed women were less likely than NRT-exposed women to have an adverse perinatal event (38.7% vs 51.4%, HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.33-1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy exposure to smoking cessation pharmacotherapies does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. Lower risk of adverse birth outcomes in varenicline-exposed pregnancies is inconsistent with recommendations that NRT be used in preference to varenicline.

Pharmaceutical strategies for smoking cessation during pregnancy

Introduction: Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death worldwide, with over 7 million deaths per year. Smoking during pregnancy causes harm to the mother, fetus, and can result in problems for the infant from childhood into adulthood. Practitioners should ask all expectant mothers about tobacco use. For expectant mothers who smoke or recently quit, practitioners should advice to quit and provide psychosocial interventions. Rates of smoking during pregnancy differ between geographical locations, with estimates of 10.8% in the UK and 7.2% in the US. Practitioners should provide expectant mothers unable to quit smoking with information about the risks and benefits of pharmacotherapy and use a patient-centered approach to determine the use. Although there is no definitive evidence on birth outcomes, nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion are adequate pharmacotherapies to help those unable to quit. Areas covered: Herein, this author looks at the various pharmaceutical strategies to help patients cease smoking and provides expert perspectives on the subject. Expert opinion: Additional research on pharmacotherapy is warranted, especially with varenicline. Practitioners working with pregnant patients should be familiar with the evidence for pharmacotherapy in smoking cessation during pregnancy. This evidence can be difficult to navigate due to conflicting results and limitations with the trials.

Smoking cessation strategies in pregnancy: Current concepts and controversies

Smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite the fact that these outcomes are well known, a considerable proportion of pregnant women continue to smoke during this critical period. This paper evaluates critically smoking cessation interventions targeting pregnant women. We describe the findings of key published studies, review papers and expert statements to report the efficacy and safety of strategies for smoking cessation in pregnancy, including counselling and pharmacotherapy. Counselling appears to improve quit rates but mainly when used in combination with pharmacological therapy. Pharmacotherapy is recommended for women who are heavy smokers and are unable to quit smoking on their own. Nicotine replacement therapy is a reasonable first-line drug option. It is recommended that women who are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, should be informed of potential risks for the foetus before considering smoking cessation therapy with bupropion or varenicline. Pregnant women view electronic nicotine delivery systems as being safer than combustible cigarettes, and this indeed may be the case; however, further evidence is required to assess their effectiveness as a smoking cessation aid and their safety for the mother and the child. Postpartum relapse is a significant problem, with approximately one out of two quitters relapsing in the first 2 months after delivery. These women should be considered 'at risk' and provided with ongoing support.

Smoking cessation in pregnancy: a continuing challenge in the United States

Despite significant population level declines, smoking during pregnancy remains a major public health issue in the United States (US). Approximately 360,000-500,000 smoke-exposed infants are born yearly, and prenatal smoking remains a leading modifiable cause of poor birth outcomes (e.g. birth < 37 gestational weeks, low birth weight, perinatal mortality). Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be younger and from disadvantaged socioeconomic and racial and ethnic groups, with some US geographic regions reporting increased prenatal smoking rates since 2000. Such disparities in maternal prenatal smoking suggests some pregnant women face unique barriers to cessation. This paper reviews the current state and future direction of smoking cessation in pregnancy in the US. We briefly discuss the etiology of smoking addiction among women, the pathophysiology and effects of tobacco smoke exposure on pregnant women and their offspring, and the emerging issue of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Current population-based and individual smoking cessation interventions are reviewed in the context of pregnancy and barriers to cessation among US women. Finally, we consider interventions that are on the horizon and areas in need of further investigation.

Prenatal Primary Prevention of Mental Illness by Micronutrient Supplements in Pregnancy

Genes, infection, malnutrition, and other factors affecting fetal brain development are a major component of risk for a child's emotional development and later mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. Prenatal interventions to ameliorate that risk have yet to be established for clinical use. A systematic review of prenatal nutrients and childhood emotional development and later mental illness was performed. Randomized trials of folic acid, phosphatidylcholine, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements assess effects of doses beyond those adequate to remedy deficiencies to promote normal fetal development despite genetic and environmental risks. Folic acid to prevent neural tube defects is an example. Vitamins A and D are currently recommended at maximum levels, but women's incomplete compliance permits observational studies of their effects. Folic acid and phosphatidylcholine supplements have shown evidence for improving childhood emotional development associated with later mental illnesses. Vitamins A and D decreased the risk for schizophrenia and autism in retrospective observations. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during early pregnancy increased the risk for schizophrenia and increased symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but in later pregnancy it decreased childhood wheezing and premature birth. Studies are complicated by the length of time between birth and the emergence of mental illnesses like schizophrenia, compared with anomalies like facial clefts identified at birth. As part of comprehensive maternal and fetal care, prenatal nutrient interventions should be further considered as uniquely effective first steps in decreasing risk for future psychiatric and other illnesses in newborn children. [AJP at 175: Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future July 1959: Longitudinal Observations of Biological Deviations in a Schizophrenic Infant Barbara Fish described the course of an infant born with fluctuating motor problems who developed schizophrenia. (Am J Psychiatry 1959; 116:25-31 )].

Substance use in pregnancy: The medical challenge

Substance use contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. Growing numbers of women use nicotine, alcohol, and illicit substances. Women are the most vulnerable to problematic substance use in their reproductive years. The first 1000 days of life, starting at conception, have been established as a critical window of time for long-term health and development. Substance use in pregnancy is associated with negative pregnancy and child health outcomes. The impact of antenatal substance use on these outcomes needs to be considered within a challenging and complex context. This review provides an overview of the current literature on the impact of substances on pregnancy and child outcomes as well as the evidence and guidelines on screening and interventions for women using substances during pregnancy.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Assess the Safety of Bupropion and Varenicline in Pregnancy

Introduction

Smoking in pregnancy is a substantial public health issue, but, apart from nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), pharmacological therapies are not generally used to promote cessation. Bupropion and varenicline are effective cessation methods in nonpregnant smokers and this systematic review investigates their safety in pregnancy.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO databases for studies of any design reporting pregnancy outcomes after bupropion or varenicline exposure. We included studies of bupropion used for smoking cessation, depression, or where the indication was unspecified. Depending on study design, quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Most findings are reported narratively but meta-analyses were used to produce pooled estimates for the proportion of live births with congenital malformations and of the mean birthweight and gestational age at delivery following bupropion exposure.

Results

In total, 18 studies were included: 2 randomized controlled trials, 11 cohorts, 2 case– control studies, and 3 case reports. Study quality was variable. Gestational safety outcomes were reported in 14 bupropion and 4 varenicline studies. Meaningful meta-analysis was only possible for bupropion exposure, for which the pooled estimated proportion of congenital malformations amongst live-born infants was 1.0% (95% CI = 0.0%–3.0%, I2 = 80.9%, 4 studies) and the mean birthweight and mean gestational age at delivery was 3305.9 g (95% CI = 3173.2–3438.7 g, I2 = 77.6%, 5 studies) and 39.2 weeks (95% CI = 38.8–39.6 weeks, I2 = 69.9%, 5 studies), respectively.

Conclusions

There was no strong evidence that either major positive or negative outcomes were associated with gestational use of bupropion or varenicline. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017067064.

Implications

We believe this to be the first systematic review investigating the safety of bupropion and varenicline in pregnancy. Meta-analysis of outcomes following bupropion exposure in pregnancy suggests that there are no major positive or negative impacts on the rate of congenital abnormalities, birthweight, or premature birth. Overall, we found no evidence that either of these treatments might be harmful in pregnancy, and no strong evidence to suggest safety, but available evidence is of poor quality.

British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus guidance on the use of psychotropic medication preconception, in pregnancy and postpartum 2017

Decisions about the use of psychotropic medication in pregnancy are an ongoing challenge for clinicians and women with mental health problems, owing to the uncertainties around risks of the illness itself to mother and fetus/infant, effectiveness of medications in pregnancy and risks to the fetus/infant from in utero exposure or via breast milk. These consensus guidelines aim to provide pragmatic advice regarding these issues. They are divided into sections on risks of untreated illness in pregnancy; general principles of using drugs in the perinatal period; benefits and harms associated with individual drugs; and recommendations for the management of specific disorders.