Bupropion
From PharmDatabase.org
Generic name: Bupropion
Brand names: Wellbutrin
Related Medical Conditions: Anorexia, Depression
Related Groups: Antidepressant, Stop Smoking
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What is Bupropion?
Bupropion is an antidepressant medication. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain. Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects. Bupropion is also sometimes used to treat bipolar depression and attention deficit disorder.
Bupropion Usage and Dosage
The recommended and maximum dose of Bupropion is 300 mg/day, given as 150 mg twice daily. Dosing should begin at 150 mg/day given every day for the first 3 days, followed by a dose increase for most patients to the recommended usual dose of 300 mg/day. There should be an interval of at least 8 hours between successive doses. Doses above 300 mg/day should not be used (see WARNINGS). Bupropion should be swallowed whole and not crushed, divided, or chewed. Treatment with Bupropion should be initiated while the patient is still smoking, since approximately 1 week of treatment is required to achieve steady-state blood levels of bupropion. Patients should set a target quit date within the first 2 weeks of treatment with Bupropion, generally in the second week. Treatment with Bupropion should be continued for 7 to 12 weeks; longer treatment should be guided by the relative benefits and risks for individual patients. If a patient has not made significant progress towards abstinence by the seventh week of therapy with Bupropion, it is unlikely that he or she will quit during that attempt, and treatment should probably be discontinued. Conversely, a patient who successfully quits after 7 to 12 weeks of treatment should be considered for ongoing therapy with Bupropion. Dose tapering of Bupropion is not required when discontinuing treatment. It is important that patients continue to receive counseling and support throughout treatment with Bupropion, and for a period of time thereafter.
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 (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, 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.
Bupropion Side Effects
Bupropion may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- restlessness
- excitement
- anxiety
- dry mouth
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- dizziness
- headache
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- tremor
- weight loss
- constipation
- excessive sweating
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- seizure
- confusion
- seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
- irrational fears
- fever
- severe skin rash
- itching
- hives
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- chest pain
- muscle or joint pain
- rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Bupropion may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Other Drugs Interaction
Medicines that can interact with Bupropion include: alcohol, amphetamine, carbamazepine, cimetidine, cocaine, corticosteroids, dextroamphetamine, kava kava, Piper methysticum, levodopa or combination drugs containing levodopa, linezolid, medications or herbal products for weight control or appetite, medicines for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances, medicines for difficulty sleeping, medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Eldepryl®), nicotine, orphenadrine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, some medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure, some medicines for migraine headache (propranolol), some medicines for pain, such as codeine, St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum, theophylline, tramadol, valerian, Valeriana officinalis, valproic acid, warfarin.
On the questionnaire needed to buy Bupropion, inform of any other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your doctor if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works.
Bupropion Storage
Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature between 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed and protected from moisture and humidity. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
