Zyban: Drug Information

Generic name: Bupropion

Brand Names: Smoquit-Sr, Wellbutrin, Bupron SR, Bupep

Drug Class: Smoking cessation

Uses of Zyban:

Zyban is an antidepressant medicine used to treat mental disorders and chemical disturbances in the brain. Zyban is also known as a smoking cessation aid that helps one overcome various drug dependent habits such as cocaine addiction and smoking. This medicine has also been found useful in the treatment of chronic fatigue and backache.

Zyban is a weak inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of the chemicals norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine and does not inhibit monoamine oxidase. It is not yet known how it helps one abstain from smoking but it is thought that this action is precipitated by noradrenergic or dopaminergic mechanisms.

Dosage:

Zyban is available in tablet form and must not be crushed or broken but must be swallowed as whole. Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor with or without food at equal intervals. DO NOT stop taking it abruptly without your doctor’s approval as it may worsen some of your present symptoms.

Warning and Precautions:

Zyban should not be given to patients suffering from major depressive disorder and may experience the worsening of their depression leading to suicidal tendencies.

This medicine should not be given to patients with seizure disorder, history of bulimia or anorexia nervosa, head trauma, central nervous system tumors and hypersensitivity.

Administering this medicine to patients on mono amine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) therapy is prohibited.

Safety of this medicine has not yet been established in pregnancy and lactation. Thus, you need to notify your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking Zyban.

Caution is advised when administering Zyban to patients with renal and hepatic impairment, enlarged prostrate or urinary tract infection.

DO NOT consume alcohol when taking Zyban.

Drug Interactions:

Neuroleptics, lithium and tricyclic antidepressants should not be co-administered with Zyban.

Zyban should not be given along with benzodiazepines or it may increase the risk of seizures.

Levodopa should not be given along with Zyban as it results in the occurrence of hallucinations, nausea and confusion.

When taken with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Zyban may result in acute toxicity marked by hyperventilation, agitation, restlessness and increased fatality rate.

Side Effects of Zyban:

Some of the most common side effects of Zyban include chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, abnormal thirst, neck pain, accidental injury, edema, diarrhea, mouth ulcer, agitation, tremors, anorexia, constipation, sleep disturbances, dysphoria, arthralgia, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, myalgia and dizziness.

Overdose of Zyban:

When taken in excess, Zyban can result in an overdose characterized by sinus tachycardia, conduction disturbances, seizures, hallucinations, fever, arrhythmias, muscle rigidity, hypotension, respiratory failure and coma. In case of a drug overdose, notify your doctor or contact your local poison control center at the earliest.