We identified five randomized trials, including 861 smokers. Compared
to placebo medication, nortriptyline resulted in significantly higher prolonged
abstinence rates after at least 6 months [relative risk (RR)
=
2.4, 95% CI
1.7–3.6; RD
=
0.11, 95% CI 0.07–0.15]. The difference in efficacy between
nortriptyline and placebo was highest in the first months after the target quit
date. However, the number of people who remained abstinent decreased substantially
and significantly faster over time in the nortriptyline group. Although
bupropion resulted in higher abstinence rates compared with nortriptyline, the
difference was not statistically significant (RR
=
1.7, 95% CI 0.7–4.1).