Wellbutrin
This page contains drug information on Wellbutrin.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Wellbutrin
the possible side effects of Wellbutrin
what happens if you miss a dose of Wellbutrin
what happens if you overdose with Wellbutrin
the most important information about Wellbutrin
how to use Wellbutrin
other drugs that may affect Wellbutrin
what to avoid while using Wellbutrin
Generic Name: bupropion (oral) (byoo PRO pee on)
Brand Names: Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR
What is the most important information I should know about bupropion? - You should not take bupropion if you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives. Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
- You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking this medication you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
- Avoid using bupropion to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take the medication for depression, do not also use more of the medication to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase the risk of a seizure.
- Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of a seizure while you are taking bupropion. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
- There are many other drugs that can affect bupropion. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What is bupropion? - Bupropion is an antidepressant medication.
- Bupropion is used to treat a condition called major depressive disorder.
- At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing withdrawal effects.
- Bupropion may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bupropion? - You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking this medication you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
- Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or severe liver disease (especially cirrhosis).
- Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
- You should not take bupropion if you:
have epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia;
are using a second form of bupropion; or
have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).
- Bupropion may cause seizures, especially if you have any of the following conditions:
head injury, brain or spinal cord tumor;
bipolar disorder (manic depression);
diabetes for which you use insulin or take oral medication;
current use of steroids, theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid), or medicine to treat depression or mental illness; or
recent use of alcohol, sedatives (such as Valium), narcotic pain medicines, diet pills, or street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine.
- FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
- Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take bupropion without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take bupropion? - Take bupropion exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
- Bupropion can be taken with or without food.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet (such as Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL and Zyban SR). Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
- If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment. By that time you will have enough of the medicine in your blood stream to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble quitting after you have used Zyban for at least 7 weeks.
- Your doctor may prescribe nicotine patches or gum to help support your smoking cessation treatment. Be sure you read all directions and safety information for the nicotine product. Using nicotine with Zyban may raise your 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. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
- Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
- If you use the bupropion extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
- Store bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose? - Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose? - Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a bupropion overdose may include seizures, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, fainting, fast or uneven heartbeat, shallow breathing, heart failure, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking bupropion? - Avoid drinking alcohol while taking bupropion. Alcohol may increase the risk of a seizure while you are taking bupropion. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
- Avoid using bupropion to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take the medication for depression, do not also use more of the medication to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase the risk of a seizure.
- Bupropion can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What are the possible side effects of bupropion?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using bupropion and call your doctor at once if you have a seizure or fast, uneven heartbeats.
Continue taking bupropion and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects: - headache or migraine;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth;
- confusion, dizziness, agitation, tremors (shaking);
- appetite changes, weight loss or gain;
- mild itching or skin rash, increased sweating;
- loss of interest in sex.
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? - Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
- There are many other drugs that can affect bupropion. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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