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Important information (prices are in US Dollars)
Although Zyban is not used to treat depression, it contains the same ingredient that is in Wellbutrin, an antidepressant. Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Zyban outweigh the risks. Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Zyban. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.
Zyban is used for:
Helping certain patients to stop smoking cigarettes. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Zyban is an antidepressant that has been found to aid in the stopping of smoking.
Do NOT use Zyban if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Zyban
- you are taking any other medicine that contains bupropion
- you have a history of an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia) or seizures (eg, epilepsy)
- you are suddenly stopping the use of alcohol or sedatives (eg, benzodiazepines) after long-term use
- you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Zyban:
Some medical conditions may interact with Zyban. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse
- if you have diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or a recent heart attack
- if you have a history of seizure, head injury, tumor in the brain or spinal cord, or liver problems (eg, cirrhosis)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zyban. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Amantadine, antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, risperidone), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), insulin, levodopa, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), nicotine patches, oral hypoglycemics (eg, glipizide), other antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, amitriptyline), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), theophylline, or tiagabine because they may increase the risk of Zyban's side effects
- Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin because they may decrease Zyban's effectiveness
- Antiarrhythmics (eg, propafenone, flecainide), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zyban
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zyban may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Zyban:
Use Zyban as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Zyban comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Zyban refilled.
- Take Zyban by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Swallow Zyban whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do not stop taking Zyban without checking with your doctor.
- Take your doses at the same times each day at least 8 hours apart unless directed otherwise by your doctor. This may help to decrease the risk of seizures with Zyban.
- It takes about 1 week for Zyban to work. You should begin taking Zyban while you are still smoking. However, you and your doctor should decide on a date that you will stop smoking during the 2nd week of taking Zyban.
- If you have not made progress towards stopping smoking by the 12th week, contact your doctor.
- If you are not able to stop smoking while using Zyban, talk to your doctor to determine why you were not successful. After the reasons have been reduced or eliminated, you should try to stop smoking again.
- Continue to take Zyban even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Zyban, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose within 8 hours. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zyban.
Important safety information:
- Zyban may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zyban with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Zyban; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Zyban may increase your risk of seizures. Your risk may be greater if you also have certain medical conditions, use certain medicines, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking Zyban.
- If you already drink alcohol or use sedatives, do not suddenly stop them without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping them may increase your seizure risk.
- Do not take decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), stimulants, or diet pills while you are taking Zyban without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures.
- The risk of seizures may be greater if you take Zyban in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Zyban for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Zyban may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Zyban closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
- If you have trouble sleeping, you may be taking your dose too close to bedtime. Talk with your doctor about changing your dosing schedule.
- It is important to follow the program that your doctor has prescribed, including behavioral changes, counseling, or support services, in order to stop smoking.
- Zyban can be used together with the nicotine skin patches only under the supervision of your doctor. Using these medicines together may raise your blood pressure. If you are already using a nicotine skin patch, your blood pressure should be checked regularly.
- Do not smoke if you are using Zyban along with the nicotine skin patch or any nicotine product.
- Stopping smoking may change the amount of certain medicines (eg, theophylline, warfarin) in your blood. Be sure your doctor knows all the medicines that you are taking.
- Zyban contains the same ingredients as Wellbutrin, an antidepressant. Do not take Zyban if you are also taking Wellbutrin or other brands of bupropion. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Use Zyban with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Zyban should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zyban while you are pregnant. Zyban is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Zyban.
Possible side effects of Zyban:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
- Anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; concentration problems, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated sense of well-being, inability to sit still, or other unusual or severe mental or mood changes; confusion; changes in sexual desire or ability; delusions; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; hallucinations; hearing problems or ringing in the ears; joint or muscle pain; menstrual changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent anxiety, agitation, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor.
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