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| Pronunciation |
|
 (byoo
PROE pee
on) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Wellbutrin®; Wellbutrin SR®;
Zyban™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antidepressant, Dopamine-Reuptake Inhibitor |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- Both Wellbutrin® and
Zyban™ contain the same active ingredient. You should not
take both medications at the same time. If you have a history of seizures, head
injury, or brain tumor, your risk of having a seizure may be increased by taking
this medication. If you are taking a large daily dose of this medication (more
than 450 mg daily or individual dose of more than 150 mg), or if the dose is
suddenly increased, the risk of a seizure may be increased. The risk of seizures
is increased if you stop taking some medicines suddenly or change your alcohol
intake. Check all medicines with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to bupropion or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have a history of seizures or anorexia or bulimia.
- If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) in the last 14
days.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat depression.
- It is also used to help stop smoking. Nicotine replacement and
counseling may be used at the same time for best
results.
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Bupropion affects specific chemicals in the brain. Sleep and appetite
may improve quickly. Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.
- When used to stop smoking, the craving and withdrawal symptoms may be
decreased.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- If you are using this medicine to stop smoking, you may take it for 1
week before you stop smoking.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- There should be an interval of 8 hours or more between doses of the
sustained-release tablet.
- Do not change dose or stop taking this medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are using a nicotine replacement
product. May need blood pressure checks.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, chest pain
or pressure from coronary artery disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase the risk
of seizures with heavy use.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Use caution if you have a history of seizures, anorexia nervosa,
bulimia, alcohol withdrawal, or if you use cocaine or other medicines that cause
seizures. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use this medicine with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These
include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Separate use by 2 weeks.
- Do not use Zyban™ and
Wellbutrin® together. They are the same medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Inability to sleep, anxiety, increased sweating, shakiness, dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Rarely, high blood pressure can
occur.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure especially if you have high blood pressure or are
taking a nicotine replacement product.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
Protect from moisture.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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