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| Pronunciation |
|
 (byoo
PROE pee
on) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Wellbutrin®; Wellbutrin SR®;
Zyban™ |
|
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antidepressant, Dopamine-Reuptake Inhibitor |
|
|
| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood pressure especially if you have high blood pressure or are
taking a nicotine replacement product.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
Protect from moisture.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- 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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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