What is Bupropion (Generic Zyban)?
Bupropion (Generic Zyban) is a tablet that is taken to reduce your craving for tobacco. How it works the craving is entirely unknown. Bupropion tablets does not contain nicotine and does not help you quit smoking in the same way that nicotine replacement therapy does. But like all quit smoking other medicines, it decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Doctors also prescribe bupropion under the brand name Wellbutrin which is used to treat depression. But bupropion's ability to help people quit smoking is not related to its antidepressant action of this medicine. Therefore, it can help stop smoking even if you do not have depression.
Recommendations for use of Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Bupropion is a medication which is approved for use in patients who smoke more than ten cigarettes a day and are at least eighteen years of age. The Zyban brand (Bupron, Burporn) of bupropion is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.
Bupropion (Wellbatrin) is also an antidepressant medication used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder.
Bupropion may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
How does Bupropion (Generic Zyban) work?
Bupropion works effective as nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). However, using bupropion (Generic Zyban) in combination with nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, gum, or inhaler will increase your chances of success.
Taken as directed, bupropion reduces:
Craving.
Irritability, restlessness, anxiety.
Difficulty concentrating.
Feelings of unhappiness or depression.
Dosage and direction of taking Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Bupropion and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Bupropion orally as prescribed by your doctor with a full glass of water with or without food.
Usually it is prescribed 8 hours a day in order to decrease the risk of seizure. You can take with a glass of milk or food to avoid stomach upsets.
Once you start taking this medication you may have trouble sleeping so it advised not to take the evening dose too close to bedtime.
Swallow the whole tablet without chewing or splitting or crushing it. When you crush or chew it releases all of the medication at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Unless your doctor advices, do not split the tablets. If you are to split ensure it has a score line to split.
Always try to take bupropion at evenly paced times. In case you missed a dose,skip that dose and just take the next regular dose. Should never double the dose in order to make up for the missed dose.
Only after a week of taking bupropion you are recommended try to quit smoking. You need to set a date to quit somewhere on the 2nd week of treatment and stop smoking.
You can combine with gum or nicotine patches to help you quit smoking. Your blood pressure may increase for the combination of nicotine and bupropion so your doctor needs to monitor it regularly.
Inform your doctor in the event you are unable to quit smoking after 7 to 12 weeks on this medication.
Take bupropion exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.
Missed Dose of Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
In case you missed a dose,skip that dose and just take the next regular dose. Should never double the dose in order to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose of Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
Precautions before taking Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Prior to taking bupropion inform your doctor if you have
any allergies to bupropion or any other allergies
diabetes
liver problems
mental / mood disorders (thoughts of suicide, bipolar disorder)
alcohol / drug dependence
seizures or a medical condition that makes you prone to seizures.
brain tumors
eating disorders (bulimia / anorexia nervosa)
heart disease (recent heart attack, congestive heart failure)
high blood pressure
kidney problems
family history of glaucoma
been taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Bupropion may make you dizzy, confused or disoriented. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of seizures. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely. Understand how this medication affects you. Do not take any alcoholic beverages.
Avoid taking other products which contains bupropion with thismedication as large doses of bupropion are more likely to cause seizures.
Bupropion should not be given to anyone under the age of 18.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant. Bupropion should be used only when it is absolutely necessary. Discuss with your doctor the benefits and the risks involved.
Consult your doctor before breast feeding as Bupropion passes into breast milk. It may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Bupropion together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Bupropion may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects. However, you may experience the following side effects.
Dry mouth
Trouble sleeping
Dizziness
Fatigue
Constipation
Nausea
Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Increased sweating
Stomach pain
Strange taste in the mouth
You may have to monitor your blood pressure regularly as this medication may raise your blood pressure.
Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned below.
Muscle aches
Ringing in the ears
Mental / mood changes such agitation, anxiety, memory loss, confusion
Irregular heartbeat
Severe headaches
Tremors
Chest pain
Fainting
Palpitations
Unusual weight gain
If you see an empty shell of a tablet do not panic as it is harmless.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.
During pregnancy bupropion must be used if it's absolutely necessary. Stop smoking education and behavioral therapy is recommended for pregnant women.
Bupropion passes into breast milk so there may be undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Caution should be exercised when prescribing bupropion to a nursing mother.
Some of the medications that may interact with bupropion is
Codeine
Tamoxifen
Pimozide
There may be serious drug interactions with bupropion and MAO inhibitors. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors during this treatment.
Procarbazine
Linezolid
Isocarboxazid
Moclobemide
Rasagiline
Selegiline
Methylene blue
Certain medical tests may get interfered with this medication. Inform laboratory personnel and your doctors involved for the following tests that you are taking this medication.
urine screening for amphetamines
brain scan for Parkinson's disease
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Bupropion.
Storage of Bupropion (Generic Zyban)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Bupropion tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Bupropion should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Bupropion or Bupron, Burporn, Wellbatrin
Formula: Bupropion | C10H21N3O
0 