Bupropion sustained-release tablets (Zyban)
Bupropion sustained-release tablets (Zyban ®)
What are bupropion sustained-release tablets?
BUPROPION (Zyban ®, Buproban™) is a prescription medicine to help people quit smoking. Bupropion can reduce the symptoms caused by stopping smoking. Bupropion can also decrease the urge to smoke and decrease nicotine cravings. Bupropion is used with a patient support program recommended by your physician. Generic bupropion sustained-release tablets for Zyban ® are available.
NOTE: You should only use Zyban ® with nicotine skin patches or nicotine gum if these have been prescribed by your healthcare prescriber. Ask your prescriber for information and advice before purchasing any non-prescription nicotine products while you are on Zyban ®. The use of the two medicines together requires special observation by your prescriber.
What should my health care professional know before I take bupropion?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- frequently drink alcoholic beverages
- an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
- bipolar disorder or psychosis
- diabetes or high blood sugar, treated with medication
- heart disease, previous heart attack, or irregular heart beat
- head injury or brain tumor
- high blood pressure
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- seizures (convulsions)
- suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
- Tourette’s syndrome
- use of sedatives
- weight loss
- an unusual or allergic reaction to bupropion, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- breast-feeding
- pregnant or trying to become pregnant
How should I take this medicine?
NOTE: You should schedule to stop smoking during the second week of taking bupropion. You may smoke up until that day, bupropion takes about 1 week before it starts to control nicotine cravings. Choose your “quit date” and tell your prescriber. Stick to your plan; ask your prescriber about support groups or other ways to help you remain a “quitter”.
Take bupropion tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew these tablets. Do not cut these tablets in half unless instructed to do so by your health care prescriber. It is important to take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber’s advice.
If you take more than one dose of bupropion daily: To limit difficulty in sleeping, the second dose of the day should not be taken at bedtime; take it earlier in the day but at least 8 hours after your morning dose.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than four hours to your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with bupropion?
NOTE: Do not take bupropion with other medicines containing bupropion, like Wellbutrin® or Wellbutrin® SR.
Other medicines that can interact with bupropion include:
- alcohol
- amphetamine
- carbamazepine
- cimetidine
- cocaine
- corticosteroids
- dextroamphetamine
- doxercalciferol
- kava kava, Piper methysticum
- levodopa or combination drugs containing levodopa
- linezolid
- medications or herbal products for weight control or appetite
- medicines for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances
- medicines for difficulty sleeping
- medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Eldepryl®)
- nicotine
- orphenadrine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- rifampin
- ritonavir
- some medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure
- some medicines for migraine headache (propranolol)
- some medicines for pain, such as codeine
- St. John’s wort, Hypericum perforatum
- theophylline
- tramadol
- valerian, Valeriana officinalis
- valproic acid
- warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking bupropion?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Uncommon:
blurred vision
difficulty breathing or wheezing
fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
increased blood pressure
hallucinations
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness
More common:
- agitation, anxiety, or restlessness, especially in the first week of treatment or when doses are changed
- confusion
- seizures
- skin rash, itching, hives
- vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Less common:
- loss of appetite
- loss of sexual drive
- menstrual changes
More common:
- change in taste
- constipation
- difficulty sleeping
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- headache
- increased sweating
- nausea
- tremor
- weight loss
What should I watch for while taking bupropion?
The goal of taking medication for smoking cessation is to stop smoking or using tobacco. Ask for ongoing advice and encouragement from your prescriber, friends, and family to help you quit. If you smoke while on this medication, quit again.Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take bupropion for several days before you see the effects. If you have been taking bupropion for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber or health care professional may want you to gradually reduce the dose; ask for advice.
Even though you are using bupropion to help you stop smoking or use of tobacco products, you and your family or caregivers should watch out for signs of depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of bupropion treatment or after a change in dose, call your doctor.
Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks while taking bupropion. Drinking excessive alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medicines, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking bupropion may increase your risk for a seizure (convulsion).
Do not use nicotine patches or chewing gum without the advice of your prescriber while on bupropion. You may need to have your blood pressure taken regularly if your prescriber recommends that you use both nicotine and bupropion together.
You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how bupropion affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Bupropion can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Also do not take any herbal or non-prescription medicines for weight loss without your prescribers advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional well before your scheduled surgery that you are taking bupropion.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68?°and 77 degrees F), away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 8/30/2005 3:06:00 PM ]
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