Bupropion (By mouth)

Brand Name(s):

Wellbutrin XL, Budeprion SR, Wellbutrin SR, Buproban, Budeprion XL, Zyban, Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Once-Daily Wellbutrin XL

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to bupropion, or if you have a history of seizures or an eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa). Do not use this medicine if you decide to suddenly stop drinking alcohol or using sedatives (such as diazepam or Valium®). You should not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor drug (such as Eldepryl®, Nardil®, Marplan®, or Parnate®) within the last 14 days. Do not use Zyban® to quit smoking at the same time you are taking Wellbutrin® for depression, because they are the same medicine. This medicine is not for use in children.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with or without food.Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
You may need to take Wellbutrin® for up to 4 weeks before you feel better. You may need to take Zyban® for 1 to 2 weeks before the date that you have planned to stop smoking.
While taking the extended-release form of this medicine, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a nicotine patch, cimetidine (Tagamet®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®), orphenadrine (Norflex® or Norgesic®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®), or thiotepa (Thioplex®). Tell your doctor if you use levodopa (Sinemet®), amantadine (Symmetrel®), diet pills, medicine for anxiety (such as diazepam or Valium®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using insulin or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth (such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, or Glucotrol®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as efavirenz, nelfinavir, ritonavir, Norvir®, Sustiva®, or Viracept®), medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, Luminal®, Solfoton®, or Tegretol®), or other medicine for depression (such as desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, norfluoxetine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline, Aventyl®, Luvox®, Norpramin®, Pamelor®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Tofranil®, or Zoloft®). Tell your doctor if you are also using blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, or Toprol®), medicines to treat mental illness (such as haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine, Haldol®, Mellaril®, or Risperdal®), a steroid (such as cortisone, prednisone, Cortone®, or Deltasone®), or medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, verapamil, Rythmol®, or Tambocor®).
Tell your doctor if you have used an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®) within the past 14 days.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you currently drink alcohol or use other sedatives daily, or on a regular basis.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, a recent heart attack, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
This medicine may increase your risk of seizures, especially if you have a history of head injury, seizures, brain tumor, severe liver disease, or drug addiction. If you have a seizure, call your doctor right away and do not take any more bupropion.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing; or chest pain after you take this medicine.
Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, blurred vision, and other symptoms. You might need to keep track of your blood pressure between doctor appointments. If you think your blood pressure is getting too high, call your doctor right away.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Zyban® is only part of a complete program to help you quit smoking. You will probably be tempted to smoke at times. Have a plan for coping with these situations.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Change in how much or how often you urinate.
Chest pain.
Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Restlessness, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, or trouble sleeping.
Seizures or tremors.
Severe agitation or confusion, thoughts of hurting yourself, or other unusual thoughts.
Severe or continuing headache, or ringing in your ears.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Blurred vision.
Dizziness or drowsiness.
Dry mouth.
Increased sweating.
Loss of appetite.
Menstrual cramps.
Muscle or joint pain.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain or upset.
Skin rash or itching.
Weight changes.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor:

Reviewed last on: 1/4/2010