bupropion extended-release (antidepressant) - oral, Wellbutrin XL (cont.)
HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using bupropion and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily in the morning, with or without food. If nausea occurs, you may take this drug with food. It is important to take your dose at the same time each day, 24 hours apart or as directed by your doctor.This medication must be swallowed whole. Do not crush, chew or break the tablets. Doing so will destroy the slow release of the drug and increase your risk of side effects, including seizures.Since this drug may cause sleeplessness at first, it is best not to take it near bedtime. Your dose may be slowly increased to limit side effects such as sleeplessness, and to decrease the risk of seizures.Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. Taking more than the recommended dose of bupropion will increase your risk of having a seizure. There are 2 forms of extended release bupropion (bupropion hydrochloride and bupropion hydrobromide). The usual maximum dose is 450 milligrams per day of bupropion hydrochloride or 522 milligrams of bupropion hydrobromide. The maximum dose depends on your medical condition and response to treatment. Ask your pharmacist for more details or if you have any questions.Do not stop taking this medication without notifying your doctor. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.It may take 4 weeks or more before the full effects of this medication are noticed. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: See also the Warning section.Dry mouth, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, flushing, headache, loss of appetite, constipation, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, strange taste in mouth, joint aches, dizziness, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, nervousness, restlessness), muscle aches, ringing in the ears, severe headache, uncontrolled movements (tremor), unusual weight loss or gain.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, change in the amount of urine.This drug may rarely cause seizures. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a seizure. If you have a seizure while taking bupropion, you should not take this drug again.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.An empty tablet shell may appear in your stool. This is harmless.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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