BUPROPION SUSTAINED-RELEASE (SMOKING DETERRENT) - ORAL (Zyban) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

bupropion sustained-release (smoking deterrent) - oral, Zyban (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 twice daily with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food. It is important to take your doses at least 8 hours apart or as directed by your doctor to decrease your risk of seizure.You may have trouble sleeping when you start taking this drug. Do not take your evening dose too close to bedtime.Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Doing so can destroy the slow release of the drug and may increase your risk of side effects, including seizures.Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your dose may be slowly increased to limit side effects. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. Do not take more than 150 milligrams in a single dose. Do not take more than 300 milligrams per day. Taking more than the recommended dose of this medication may increase your risk of having a seizure.It is recommended that you do not try to quit smoking until you have been taking bupropion for 1 week so that the drug can reach a high enough level in your blood. Set a date for quitting, and stop smoking sometime in the second week of taking the drug.If necessary, this medication may be combined with nicotine patches or gum to help you quit smoking. Ask your doctor for more information. The combination of nicotine and this medication may increase your blood pressure. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood pressure closely. Do not smoke at any time if using any nicotine products with this drug. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.Tell your doctor if you are not able to stop smoking after 7 to 12 weeks on this medication.

SIDE EFFECTS: Dry mouth and trouble sleeping may occur as your body gets used to the drug. Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, blurred vision, increased sweating, strange taste in mouth, or stomach pain may also 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., anxiety, agitation, confusion), 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.