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.