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Brand Name: Wellbutrin, Zyban
Generic Name: Bupropion
(byoo proe' pee on)
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Why is wellbutrin prescribed?
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) is used to treat depression. Bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking. Bupropion is in a class of medications called antidepressants (mood elevators). It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
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How should wellbutrin be used properly?
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) comes as a tablet and a sustained-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet (Wellbutrin) is usually taken three or four times times a day, with doses at least 6 hours apart. The sustained-release tablet (Zyban) is usually taken twice a day, with doses at least 8 hours apart. To help you remember to take bupropion, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bupropion exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the sustained-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of bupropion and gradually increase your dose.
It may take 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of bupropion. Continue to take bupropion even if you feel well. Do not stop taking bupropion without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
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What are the common uses for wellbutrin?
Bupropion is also sometimes used to treat bipolar depression and attention deficit disorder. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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What special precautions should I follow when using wellbutrin?
Before taking bupropion,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bupropion or any other medications.
- do not take bupropion if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have taken them within the past 14 days. Do not take Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR and Zyban together.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amantadine (Symmetrel); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar); diet pills; insulin or oral medications for diabetes; medications for irregular heartbeat such as flecainide (Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol); medications for mental illness such as haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), and thioridazine (Mellaril); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); levodopa (Sinemet, Larodopa); nicotine patch; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); orphenadrine (Norflex); other antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft); sedatives; sleeping pills; and theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol or have a drug addiction and if you have or have ever had seizures; an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia); head injury; brain tumor; bipolar disorder; high blood pressure; or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking bupropion, call your doctor.
- you should know that bupropion may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- minimize or avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking bupropion. Alcohol can make the side effects from bupropion worse.
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What special dietary instructions should I follow while taking wellbutrin?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
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What should I do if I forget a dose of wellbutrin?
You should take the missed dose of wellbutrin just as soon as you remember to take it. Unless, it is almost time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Never take a double dose of your medication to make up for a missed one.
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What side effects can wellbutrin cause?
Bupropion may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- excessive sweating
- upset stomach
- restlessness
- constipation
- drowsiness
- weight loss
- excitement
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- headache
- vomiting
- anxiety
- tremor
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, eyes, face, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hallucinating, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist
- pounding, very fast or irregular heartbeat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- muscle or joint pain
- severe skin rash
- irrational fears
- hoarseness
- chest pain
- confusion
- seizure
- itching
- hives
- fever
Bupropion may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
» top What storage conditions are needed for wellbutrin?
Always keep the wellbutrin in the same container it came in. Make sure it is tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store this medication at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture; do not store this medication in the bathroom.
Always be sure to dispose of any medication that is no longer needed or outdated. Be sure to ask your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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What do I do in case of emergency or an wellbutrin overdose?
In case of an wellbutrin overdose, be sure to call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim is not breathing or has collapsed, dial 911 for local emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- hallucinating, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- rapid or pounding of the heart
- loss of consciousness
- lightheadedness
- upset stomach
- lack of energy
- blurred vision
- shakiness
- dizziness
- confusion
- sweating
- fainting
- seizure
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What other information should I know about wellbutrin?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to bupropion.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only; please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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