Zyban

Zyban is the brand name for (bupropion hydrochloride) which is a prescription medicine that does not have nicotine and helps people quit smoking. It is a smoking-cessation drug. For many people it cuts down on cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as: irritability, frustration or anger, anxiety, trouble concentrating, restlessness and depression.

How does Zyban work?Zyban is a nicotine-free quit-smoking aid. Instead of nicotine, it contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant medication Wellbutrin. It works by boosting the levels of several chemical messengers in the brain. With more of these chemicals at work, you experience a reduction in nicotine withdrawal symptoms and a weakening of the urge to smoke. More than a third of the people who take Zyban while participating in a support program are able to quit smoking for at least 1 month. Zyban can also prove helpful when people with conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema decide it’s time to quit.

How to useZyban works by helping you feel that you are really ready to conquer the smoking addiction. To do so, begin taking Zyban, then sometime in the second week of therapy, stop smoking cigarettes. People usually continue taking Zyban for between seven and twelve weeks after quitting smoking. Continue taking Zyban as your doctor orders.

Zyban is an oral medication, which means it is a pill you swallow. You can take it with or without food. Most take between one to three pills daily.

Don’t chew, crush, or cut the pills. Follow the enclosed directions carefully, and talk to your pharmacist about any point you are uncertain of. Use Zyban only as prescribed. Once you begin feeling well, don’t just stop taking Zyban. Your doctor will tell you how to gradually reduce the amount of Zyban and eventually stop the medication. Zyban therapy must continue for several weeks before you notice a marked improvement in your feelings

Zyban precautions

• Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: seizures, head injury, brain tumor, heart disease, liver problems, kidney problems, eating disorder, any mental conditions, diabetes, allergies (especially drug allergies).
• Because of the possibility this drug will make you dizzy and affect coordination, do not drive or operate machinery until you get used to the drug’s effects.
• 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.

Side EffectsSome people who use Zyban report occasional dry mouth, change in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances such as drowsiness, nightmares, or insomnia, or anxiety or excitement.

Zyban can also cause some side effects that should fade with time. These include headaches, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, change in sexual interest, or excessive sweating. Tell your doctor if you have continuing problems with these symptoms.

The following side effects are very serious and should be reported immediately. They include tremors or seizures, irregular heartbeat, loss of coordination, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or serious skin rashes.

Drug InteractionBefore taking bupropion 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.

Missed DosageIf you take several of the dosages in the day and if you have missed any of the dosages then do take in as soon as you remember to take it. and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

If you take Zyban once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Zyban Storage

• Store Zyban in its original container, and make sure it stays tightly closed.
• Keep it out of the reach of children.
• It should stay at room temperature and not in places that are moist or warm (bathrooms).
• Throw away all pills that are out of date or that you don’t need.

Zyban OverdoseIf overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include blurred vision, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea, and seizures.