Ask Lemmy

I was curious. Apparently this is a known phenomenon, and that drug is also prescribed specifically for that purpose.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bupropion

Bupropion, formerly called amfebutamone,[15] and sold under the brand name Wellbutrin among others, is an atypical antidepressant that is indicated in the treatment of major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder and to support smoking cessation.

Prescribed as an aid for smoking cessation, bupropion reduces the severity of craving for nicotine and withdrawal symptoms[53][54][55] such as depressed mood, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased appetite.[56] Initially, bupropion slows the weight gain that often occurs in the first weeks after quitting smoking. With time, however, this effect becomes negligible.[56]

The bupropion treatment course lasts for seven to twelve weeks, with the patient halting the use of tobacco about ten days into the course.[56][9] After the course, the effectiveness of bupropion for maintaining abstinence from smoking declines over time, from 37% of tobacco abstinence at three months to 20% at one year.[57] It is unclear whether extending bupropion treatment helps to prevent relapse of smoking.[58]

Overall, six months after the therapy, bupropion increases the likelihood of quitting smoking approximately 1.6-fold as compared to placebo. In this respect, bupropion is as effective as nicotine replacement therapy but inferior to varenicline. Combining bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy does not improve the quitting rate.[59]

In children and adolescents, the use of bupropion for smoking cessation does not appear to offer any significant benefits.[60] The evidence for its use to aid smoking cessation in pregnant women is insufficient.[61]