ZybanŽ
Uses
Zyban is used to help you quit smoking.
How to take this medication
Swallow Zyban whole. Do not crush or chew them or the sustained
activity of the drug will be destroyed and the chances of side effects occurring may be increased. Take as directed, usually
twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. Since Zyban can cause sleeplessness at
first, it is best not to take near bedtime. It is advised to continue smoking for the first week after starting this drug,
until it reaches higher levels in your blood. Do not smoke if using any nicotine products with this drug. Too much nicotine
can cause serious side effects.
Side effects
Zyban is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth, headache, increased sweating,
constipation, anxiety and fatigue may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Precautions
Before taking bupropion tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, head
injury, brain tumor; heart, liver or kidney disease, an eating disorder or any mental conditions, diabetes or if you have
any allergies. Limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic alcohol
users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol while taking bupropion may increase the risk of having seizures. Suddenly stopping
certain tranquilizers (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) is not recommended because doing so may increase the risk of having
seizures. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant before taking this drug. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant,
breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug interactions
Before taking bupropion tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medications you may use especially MAO inhibitors (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, selegiline,
furazolidone), levodopa, theophylline, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), seizure medications, sedatives, ritonavir, tranquilizers/psychiatric
drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine), other antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), salicylates (e.g., aspirin, salsalate), isoniazid,
chlolinesterase inhibitors (e.g., tacrine, donepezil), morphine, and adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., pseudoephedrine). Excess
caffeine intake can increase the chance of seizures with this drug. Check all nonprescription/prescription drug labels for
caffeine. Consult doctor or pharmacist. A certain product used to help quit smoking contains bupropion. Do not take that product
while using this one.
Notes
Do not allow anyone else to take Zyban.
Miss dose
Take any missed dose as soon as possible but not if it is within 8 hours of the
next dose. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not "double up" the
dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature and keep away from moisture and sunlight. Keep this and
all medications out of the reach of children.
