How do the effects of bupropion differ across different genetic biomarkers for people trying to quit smoking?

Abstract

Among people trying to quit smoking, bupropion may be more beneficial for non‐Hispanic white than for non‐Hispanic black or African American genetic subgroups, although the increase in absolute numbers of people quitting is low for all subgroups.The effects of bupropion differ across different genetic biomarkers for people trying to quit smoking. Hence, for non‐Hispanic white genetic subgroups, bupropion was more effective than placebo for six‐month abstinence for rs1051730, rs2036527, rs3733829, and rs588765 (differences of 71 to 87 per 1000 people; all results on average), and for end of treatment abstinence for rs1051730, rs7937, rs1329650, rs1028936, rs215605, rs16969968, rs2036527, rs3733829, and rs588765 (differences of 85 to 155 per 1000 people).For the previously mentioned genetic subgroups among non‐Hispanic black or African American people, effects of bupropion on six‐month abstinence and on end of treatment abstinence were imprecise (confidence intervals show both beneficial and detrimental effects). Only the subgroups rs16969968 and rs2036527 show clear differences between groups at end of treatment, although the magnitude of these differences remains uncertain (differences of 97 and 105 per 1000 people, respectively). The reviewers did not assess adverse events.