Side Effects: Dry mouth, skin rash, shakiness, or insomnia.
Suggested Use: Take Zyban for a week before you stop smoking. Take two 150 mg tablets a day. Each dose should be at least eight hours apart. To avoid insomnia, take your second dose in the afternoon or early-evening time. Do not take Zyban if you are taking MAO inhibitors, have epilepsy, or suffer from seizures. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease to avoid complications.
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What is/are Zyban?
BUPROPION is used to help people quit smoking. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care providers before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia bipolar disorder or psychosis diabetes or high blood sugar, treated with medication head injury or brain tumor heart disease, previous heart attack, or irregular heart beat high blood pressure kidney or liver disease seizures suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt 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 use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Take your medicine at regular intervals. If you take this medicine more than once a day, take your second dose at least 8 hours after you take your first dose. To limit difficulty in sleeping, avoid taking this medicine at bedtime. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you have been taking this medicine for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next tablet at the regular time. There should be at least 8 hours between doses. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following:
medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl other medicines that contain bupropion like Zyban procarbazine
This medicine may also interact with the following:
amantadine carbamazepine cimetidine corticosteroids cyclophosphamide efavirenz levodopa or combination drugs containing levodopa linezolid medicines or herbal products for weight control or appetite medicines for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances nelfinavir nicotine orphenadrine phenobarbital phenytoin ritonavir some medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure theophylline thiotepa tramadol warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What side effects may I notice from this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue breathing problems changes in vision confusion fast or irregular heartbeat hallucinations increased blood pressure redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth seizures suicidal thoughts or other mood changes unusually weak or tired vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
change in sex drive or performance constipation headache loss of appetite nausea tremors weight loss
This list may not describe all possible side effects.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take this medicine for several days before you start to feel better.
Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your doctor.
Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking this medicine. Drinking excessive alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medicines, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medicine may increase your risk for a seizure.
You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional. Also do not take any herbal or non-prescription medicines for weight loss without the advice of your doctor or health care professional. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.
Do not use nicotine patches or chewing gum without the advice of your doctor or health care professional while taking this medicine. You may need to have your blood pressure taken regularly if your doctor recommends that you use both nicotine and this medicine together.
Where should I keep this medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
