Zyban (bupropion)

Common uses

This medicine is a smoking cessation aid used to help you stop smoking.

Before using

Warning: Zyban may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents who have severe depression or certain other mental or mood disorders. Children and adolescents who take Zyban should be monitored daily for any worsening of their condition, thoughts of hurting themselves, or any other sudden or unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the first few months after starting Zyban and after any change in the dose of Zyban. If any of these serious side effects occur, contact the doctor immediately.

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Zyban. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Do not use Zyban if you are already taking bupropion to treat depression, taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or thioridazine. Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking antidepressants or psychiatric medicines, certain high blood pressure medicines (e.g., "beta-blockers"), certain heart medicines (e.g., propafenone, flecainide), warfarin, decongestants, diabetes medicine, diet pills, levodopa, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin), seizure medicines, tranquilizers, tramadol, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen with codeine), other products containing nicotine (e.g., patches or gum).

Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with bupropion such as phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), isoniazid (INH), or theophylline among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including any mental or mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder), kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, head injury, tumors (e.g., brain or spinal cord), history of drug or alcohol addiction, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Do not use Zyban if you have a history of eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia). Use of Zyban is not recommended if you have a history of seizures, or muscle or nerve conditions. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zyban. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Zyban.

Directions

Follow the directions for using Zyban provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a medication guide and a patient information leaflet. Read them carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Zyban. Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you are taking more than 1 dose each day, allow at least 8 hours between doses.

Store Zyban at room temperature, away from heat and light. If you miss a dose of Zyban, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

It takes 1 week for Zyban to work. Do not stop taking Zyban without checking with your doctor. During the first week of taking Zyban you should continue to smoke. You should plan to stop smoking during the second week of taking Zyban.

Additional monitoring of your condition is recommended at the start of treatment with Zyban and whenever a change to your dose is made. If you experience anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsive feelings, severe restlessness, or feelings of depression, contact your doctor as soon as possible. These may be signs that your treatment with Zyban should be re-evaluated. If you are a parent or caregiver of a patient that is taking Zyban, it is important for you to watch for these symptoms daily. Contact the doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Contact your doctor for more information.

This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Zyban. Using Zyban alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Do not exceed the recommended dose of bupropion; doing so will increase your risk of having a seizure. Limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic alcohol users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol while taking Zyban may increase the risk of having seizures. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Caution is advised when using Zyban in children or adolescent patients because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Zyban during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Zyban.

Possible side effects

Side effects that may occur while taking Zyban include restlessness, agitation, dizziness, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, change in weight, or tremor. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience palpitations. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe nervousness, anxiety, or agitation; panic attacks; difficulty sleeping; feelings of irritability or hostility; impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior; severe restlessness; feelings of depression; thoughts of hurting yourself; any mental or mood changes; or seizures. If you experience difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of Zyban unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include blurred vision, lightheadedness, hallucinations, seizures, loss of conciousness.

Additional information

It is normal for Zyban to have an odor. It is harmless. Do not share Zyban with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use Zyban for other health conditions. Keep Zyban out of the reach of children. If using Zyban for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Zyban. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.