Zyban (Stop Smoking)
Uses
This medication is used to help you quit smoking.
Directions
Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush or chew
them or the sustained activity of the drug will be
destroyed and the chances of side effects occurring
may be increased. Take as directed, usually twice
daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or less
medication than prescribed. Since this drug can cause
sleeplessness at first, it is best not to take near
bedtime. It is advised to continue smoking for the
first week after starting this drug, until it reaches
higher levels in your blood. Do not smoke if using
any nicotine products with this drug. Too much nicotine
can cause serious side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Zyban tell your doctor if you have a
history of seizures, head injury, brain tumor; heart,
liver or kidney disease, an eating disorder or any
mental conditions, diabetes or if you have any allergies.
Limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages;
alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic
alcohol users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol
while taking bupropion may increase the risk of having
seizures. Suddenly stopping certain tranquilizers
(e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) is not recommended
because doing so may increase the risk of having seizures.
Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects
of this drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant before taking this drug.
This drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of
the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while
using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor
before breast-feeding.
Zyban Side Effects
This medication is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth,
headache, increased sweating, constipation, anxiety
and fatigue may occur. If these effects persist or
worsen, notify your doctor.
Missed Dose
Take any missed dose as soon as possible but not if
it is within 8 hours of the next dose. If it is time
for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume
your regular schedule. Do not "double up"
the dose.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Zyban tell your doctor of
all nonprescription and prescription medications you
may use especially MAO inhibitors (e.g., isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, selegiline,
furazolidone), levodopa, theophylline, corticosteroids
(e.g., prednisone), seizure medications, sedatives,
ritonavir, tranquilizers/psychiatric drugs (e.g.,
chlorpromazine), other antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline),
salicylates (e.g., aspirin, salsalate), isoniazid,
chlolinesterase inhibitors (e.g., tacrine, donepezil),
morphine, and adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., pseudoephedrine).
Excess caffeine intake can increase the chance of
seizures with this drug. Check all nonprescription/prescription
drug labels for caffeine. Consult doctor or pharmacist.
A certain product used to help quit smoking contains
bupropion. Do not take that product while using this
one.
Notes
Do not allow anyone else to take Zyban.
Storage
Store at room temperature and keep away from moisture
and sunlight. Keep Zyban and all medications out of
the reach of children.
