A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials of clonidine for smoking cessation

Combined data from nine double-blind placebo-controlled trials (total n = 813), showed a smoking quit rate with clonidine that was significantly greater than with placebo. Further analysis suggested a potentiating influence of individual behavior therapy, and it appeared that clonidine may be more helpful for female than male smokers. Future trials are needed to determine long-term efficacy, and to clarify the effects of gender, other subject characteristics and various treatment conditions on the usefulness of clonidine as a smoking cessation aid.