Sequential Use of Fluoxetine for Smokers With Elevated Depressive Symptoms

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether, among smokers with elevated depressive symptoms, sequential antidepressant pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine (20 mg) begun 8 weeks prior to and extended throughout standard smoking cessation treatment with transdermal nicotine patch (ST-TNP) will result in superior short-and long-term smoking cessation outcomes compared to sequential pharmacotherapy with placebo medication combined with ST-TNP. The secondary aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that, among smokers with elevated depressive symptoms, sequential treatment with fluoxetine will result in lower levels of depressive symptoms and negative mood and higher levels of positive mood immediately prior to and throughout the course of smoking cessation treatment relative to the placebo condition.