Bromocriptine use is associated with decreased smoking rates

Addict Biol. 2002 Jul;7(3):325-8. doi: 10.1080/13556210220139550.

Abstract

Dopaminergic transmission in the central nervous system is thought to underlie addictive behaviours, including smoking. One effective smoking cessation drug, bupropion, enhances dopaminergic transmission; conversely, antipsychotic drugs, which are dopamine antagonists, are associated with increased smoking. Thus we hypothesized that subfertile women treated with the potent dopamine agonist bromocriptine might smoke less as a consequence of their treatment. Among 4,608 subfertile women those conceiving on bromocriptine were half as likely to smoke as those taking other drugs or those conceiving without medication (p < 0.0001). This observation supports the role of dopamine in nicotine addiction, and suggests that bromocriptine-like drugs could be used effectively by pregnant women to aid cessation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bromocriptine / administration & dosage*
  • Dopamine Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications / rehabilitation*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Smoking / physiopathology
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / physiopathology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / rehabilitation*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Bromocriptine