Bupropion sustained-release tablets
What do bupropion sustained-release tablets do?
BUPROPION (Zyban(R)) 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.
NOTE: You should only use Zyban(R) 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(R). 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)
• Tourette's syndrome
• 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 other medicines can interact with bupropion?
NOTE: Do not take bupropion with other medicines containing bupropion, like Wellbutrin(R) or Wellbutrin(R)SR.
Other medicines that can interact with bupropion include:
• alcohol
• amphetamine
• carbamazepine
• cimetidine
• cocaine
• corticosteroids
• dextroamphetamine
• kava kava, Piper methysticum
• 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(R)), tranylcypromine (Parnate(R)), isocarboxazid (Marplan(R)), and selegiline (Eldepryl(R))
• 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
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:
• 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:
• agitation, anxiety, or restlessness, especially in the first week of treatment
• change in taste
• constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased sweating
• nausea
• tremor
• weight loss