Zyban

Generic Name: Bupropion (oral)
Brand Names: Budeprion, Budeprion XL, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Zyban Advantage Pack

Zyban (Bupropion) is used for:

Zyban (Bupropion) is an antidepressant medication.

Zyban (Bupropion) is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of Zyban (Bupropion) (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

Zyban (Bupropion) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do NOT use Zyban (Bupropion) if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zyban (Bupropion)
• you are taking any other medicine that contains Zyban (Bupropion)
• you have a history of an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia) or seizures (eg, epilepsy)
• you are suddenly stopping the use of alcohol or sedatives (eg, benzodiazepines) after long-term use
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zyban (Bupropion) :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zyban (Bupropion). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse
• if you have diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or a recent heart attack
• if you have a history of seizure, head injury, tumor in the brain or spinal cord, or liver problems (eg, cirrhosis)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zyban (Bupropion). Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amantadine, antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, risperidone), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), insulin, levodopa, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), nicotine patches, oral hypoglycemics (eg, glipizide), other antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, amitriptyline), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), theophylline, or tiagabine because they may increase the risk of Zyban (Bupropion) 's side effects
• Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin because they may decrease Zyban (Bupropion) 's effectiveness
• Antiarrhythmics (eg, propafenone, flecainide), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zyban (Bupropion)

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zyban (Bupropion) may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zyban (Bupropion) :

Use Zyban (Bupropion) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Zyban (Bupropion) comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Zyban (Bupropion) refilled.
• Take Zyban (Bupropion) by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do not stop taking Zyban (Bupropion) without checking with your doctor.
• Take your doses at the same times each day at least 6 hours apart unless directed otherwise by your doctor. This may help to decrease the risk of seizures with Zyban (Bupropion).
• Continue to take Zyban (Bupropion) even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Zyban (Bupropion) , skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zyban (Bupropion).

Important safety information:

• Zyban (Bupropion) may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zyban (Bupropion) with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Zyban (Bupropion) ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Zyban (Bupropion) may increase your risk of seizures. Your risk may be greater if you also have certain medical conditions, use certain medicines, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking Zyban (Bupropion).
• If you already drink alcohol or use sedatives, do not suddenly stop them without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping them may increase your seizure risk.
• Do not take decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), stimulants, or diet pills while you are taking Zyban (Bupropion) without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures.
• The risk of seizures may be greater if you take Zyban (Bupropion) in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Zyban (Bupropion) for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Children and teenagers who take Zyban (Bupropion) may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if their family members have had it. Watch patients who take Zyban (Bupropion) closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• If you have trouble sleeping, you may be taking your dose too close to bedtime. Talk with your doctor about changing your dosing schedule.
• Zyban (Bupropion) contains the same ingredients as Zyban, a medicine used to help stop smoking. Do not take Zyban (Bupropion) if you are also taking Zyban. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Use Zyban (Bupropion) with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Zyban (Bupropion) should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zyban (Bupropion) while you are pregnant. Zyban (Bupropion) is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Zyban (Bupropion).

Possible side effects of Zyban (Bupropion) :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Agitation; anxiety; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight changes.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; confusion; changes in sexual desire or ability; delusions; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; hallucinations; hearing problems; joint or muscle pain; menstrual changes; new or worsening concentration problems, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated sense of well-being, inability to sit still, or other unusual or severe mental or mood changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent anxiety, agitation, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual swelling; worsening depression.

Where to find the shelf life of the medicines?

• The expiration date can be found on each blister. It is different for different batches. The usual shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture but it may differ from batch to batch depending on date they were manufactured.