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Generic Name: bupropion (oral) (byoo PROE pee on)
Brand Names:
Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban
SR |
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What is the most important information I should know about
bupropion? |
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Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. It may be
several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous
treatment for quite some time. |
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Avoid alcohol or drink it only in moderation while taking bupropion. Alcohol
may increase the risk of having a seizure while taking bupropion. However, if
you usually drink a lot of alcohol, talk with your doctor before stopping.
Suddenly stopping may increase the risk of having a seizure. Talk to your doctor
about alcohol use before starting treatment with
bupropion. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the sustained- or extended-release tablets
(Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR). Swallow them whole. They are specially
formulated to release slowly in the body. If you are unsure of the formulation
of your medication, ask your healthcare provider. |
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Bupropion may be used to treat different medical conditions. You should not
be taking more than one product containing bupropion at a time (e.g., Wellbutrin
and Zyban SR). Talk to your doctor if a second product containing bupropion is
prescribed for you. Too much of this medicine can increase the risk of a
seizure. |
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Never take more bupropion in one dose or in one day than is directed by your
doctor. Higher doses of bupropion may increase the risk of a
seizure. |
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Bupropion is an antidepressant medication. The exact way that bupropion
works is unknown. |
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Bupropion is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of
sadness, worthlessness or guilt, loss of interest in daily activities, changes
in appetite, tiredness, sleeping too much, insomnia, and thoughts of death or
suicide. Bupropion is also used to help people stop smoking by reducing
withdrawal effects. |
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Bupropion may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
bupropion? |
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Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) in the last 14 days. |
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Do not take bupropion without first talk to your doctor if
you |
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have heart problems, high blood pressure, or history of heart
attack; |
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have anorexia or bulimia; |
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have epilepsy or a seizure disorder; |
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have a head injury or brain or spinal column
tumor; |
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drink alcohol, use street drugs, or take a prescription benzodiazepine such
as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), temazepam (Restoril), and
others. |
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You not be able to take bupropion or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special monitoring during treatment. |
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Bupropion may be used to treat different medical conditions. You should not
be taking more than one product containing bupropion at a time (e.g., Wellbutrin
and Zyban). Talk to your doctor if a second product containing bupropion is
prescribed for you. Too much of this medicine can increase the risk of a
seizure. |
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Bupropion is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not
expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take bupropion without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment. |
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It is not known whether bupropion will be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not
take bupropion without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. |
How should I take bupropion? |
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Take bupropion exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Bupropion can be taken with or without food. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the sustained- or extended-release tablets
(Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL and Zyban SR). Swallow them whole. They are
specially formulated to release slowly in the body. If you are unsure of the
formulation of your medication, ask your healthcare
provider. |
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• |
Never take more bupropion in one dose or in one day than is directed by your
doctor. Higher doses of bupropion may increase the risk of a seizure. Maximum
doses of bupropion are as follows: |
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No single dose of the regular-release product Wellbutrin should be more than
150 mg, and doses should be taken at least 6 hours apart with a maximum daily
dose of 450 mg. |
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Single doses of the sustained-release product Wellbutrin SR should not
exceed 200 mg and should be taken at least 8 hours apart with a maximum daily
dose of 400 mg. |
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Single doses of the extended-release product Wellbutrin XL should not exceed
450 mg, and doses should be taken 24 hours apart. |
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Single doses of Zyban SR should not exceed 150 mg and doses should be taken
at least 8 hours apart with a maximum daily dose of 300
mg. |
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Take bupropion exactly as directed by your doctor. |
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If you are taking Zyban SR to help you stop smoking, a target "quit date" is
usually set for the second week of treatment with Zyban SR. Although it is not
physically harmful to smoke while taking Zyban SR, continuing to smoke after the
date you set to stop smoking will seriously reduce your chance of breaking the
smoking habit. |
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Nicotine replacement products (patches or gum) can be used during treatment
with Zyban SR under the supervision of a doctor. Zyban SR and a nicotine
replacement product together may raise blood pressure and your doctor may want
to check your blood pressure regularly. Do not smoke at any time if you
are using a nicotine product along with Zyban SR as this can cause serious side
effects from too much nicotine. |
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The WELLBUTRIN XL tablet is covered by a shell that slowly releases the
medicine inside the body. You may notice something in the stool that looks like
a tablet. This is normal. This is the empty shell passing from the
body. |
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It is important to take bupropion regularly to get the most
benefit. |
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Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. It may be
several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous
treatment for quite some time. |
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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations
during treatment with bupropion to monitor progress and side
effects. |
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Bupropion tablets may have an odor. If present, this odor is
normal. |
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Store bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose. |
What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected. |
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Symptoms of a bupropion overdose include seizures, hallucinations, loss of
consciousness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, and heart
attack. |
What should I avoid while taking bupropion? |
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Avoid alcohol or drink it only in moderation while taking bupropion. Alcohol
may increase the risk of having a seizure while taking bupropion. However, if
you usually drink a lot of alcohol, talk with your doctor before stopping.
Suddenly stopping may increase the risk of having a seizure. Talk to your doctor
about alcohol use before starting treatment with
bupropion. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Bupropion may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience
dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying
position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible
fall. |
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Bupropion may be used to treat different medical conditions. You should not
be taking more than one product containing bupropion at a time (e.g., Wellbutrin
and Zyban SR). Talk to your doctor if a second product containing bupropion is
prescribed for you. Too much of this medicine can increase the risk of a
seizure. |
What are the possible side effects of
bupropion? |
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If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects,
stop taking bupropion and seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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fast or irregular heartbeats. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take bupropion and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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tremors, restlessness, agitation, or anxiety; |
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dizziness or drowsiness; |
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flulike symptoms such as aching muscles, fatigue, and
discomfort; |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect bupropion? |
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Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) in the last 14 days. |
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Many drugs can interact with bupropion, resulting in side effects and/ or
decreased effectiveness of the medication. Do not take any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products,
without first talking to your doctor during treatment with
bupropion. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has more information about bupropion written for health
professionals that you may
read. | |
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