Bupropion SR for relapse prevention: a "slips-allowed" analysis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of bupropion SR on smoking abstinence using a "slips allowed" analysis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis, which did not consider brief episodic "slips" as a return to regular smoking, of data from a multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled relapse prevention study.

Results: Using a slips-allowed analysis, median time to relapse on bupropion SR was 65 weeks versus 30 weeks on placebo. This is compared to 32 and 20 weeks, respectively, using a traditional analysis not allowing for slips.

Conclusion: Bupropion SR is efficacious for the prevention of smoking relapse. A slips-allowed analysis may provide a more clinically relevant assessment of efficacy.