Zyban
Zyban (bupropion) is an oral prescription drug that helps patients quit smoking. Zyban is sold in tablet form.
How Zyban Works
Zyban helps you quit smoking by reducing cravings for nicotine
and easing the withdrawal symptoms. Its active ingredient,
bupropion, is also used as an anti-depressant.
Advantage of Zyban
People taking Zyban generally stop smoking during the second
week of their treatment. Unlike other products that help people
quit smoking, Zyban contains no nicotine. This means patients
can stop taking Zyban at the end of their treatment without any
withdrawal effects. It also means Zyban can be used along with
nicotine replacement products like patches or gum, but only
under a doctor's supervision.
Studies show that more than 1/3 of people taking Zyban quit
smoking for at least a month. More than 1/5 of them quit smoking
for at least a year.
How to Take Zyban
Swallow Zyban tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them or the
sustained activity of Zyban will be destroyed and the chances of
side effects occurring may be increased. Take as directed,
usually twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or less
Zyban than prescribed. Since Zyban can cause sleeplessness at
first, it is best not to take it near bedtime. It is advised to
continue smoking for the first week after starting Zyban until
the drug reaches higher levels in your blood. You should quit
smoking in the second week on Zyban. Do not smoke if using any
nicotine products with Zyban as too much nicotine can cause
serious side effects. Do not stop taking Zyban without notifying
your doctor.
Zyban Side Effects
Zyban is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth, headache,
increased sweating, nausea/vomiting, constipation, anxiety,
fatigue and blurred vision may occur. If these effects persist
or worsen, notify your doctor. Report promptly: unusual weight
loss or gain, palpitations, agitation, trouble sleeping.
Unlikely but report promptly: tremor, dizziness, fainting, mood
changes, slowed movements, difficulty urinating, decreased sex
drive, drowsiness. Very unlikely but report promptly: seizures,
mental problems, fever, muscle aches, yellowing of the eyes or
skin. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to
Zyban seek medical attention immediately.
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,
alcohol dependence, and allergies. Because Zyban may 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 Zyban may increase the risk of
having seizures. Suddenly stopping certain tranquilizers is not
recommended because doing so may increase the risk of seizures.
Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Zyban
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
before taking Zyban. Zyban passes into breast milk so
breast-feeding while taking Zyban is not recommended.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Zyban tell your doctor of all nonprescription and
prescription medications you use especially: MAO inhibitors (e.g.
isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline,
selegiline, linezolid, furazolidone), levodopa, ritonavir,
corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone), sedatives, adrenaline-like
stimulants (e.g. ephedrine), products containing nicotine. Also
report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk such as:
phenothiazines (e.g. chlorpromazine), tricyclic antidepressants
(e.g. amitriptyline), isoniazid (INH), theophylline. Excess
caffeine intake can increase the chance of seizures with Zyban.
Check all drug labels for caffeine. Other products used to help
quit smoking may contain bupropion, the generic name for Zyban.
Do not take bupropion products while using Zyban. Do not start
or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.