Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: BUPROPION (bue-PROE-pee-on)
This medicine is an antidepressant used for helping certain patients to stop smoking cigarettes. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Although this medicine is not used to treat depression, it contains the same ingredient that is in the antidepressants Aplenzin and Wellbutrin. 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 this medicine outweigh the risks. FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS MUST CLOSELY WATCH patients who take this medicine. 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. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking another medicine that contains bupropion or if you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking amantadine, antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, risperidone), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), cyclophosphamide, efavirenz, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, nelfinavir, ritonavir), insulin, levodopa, nicotine patches, oral hypoglycemics (eg, glipizide), orphenadrine, sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), theophylline, thiotepa, tiagabine, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, antiarrhythmics (eg, propafenone, flecainide), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), recent heart attack, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizure, head injury, tumor in the brain or spinal cord, or liver problems (eg, cirrhosis). Tell your doctor 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. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia) or seizures (eg, epilepsy). Tell your doctor if you are suddenly stopping the use of alcohol or sedatives (eg, benzodiazepines) after long-term use. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine has a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tight, light-resistant container away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS BEFORE YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. It takes about 1 week for this medicine to work. You should begin taking this medicine while you are still smoking. However, you and your doctor should decide on the date that you will stop smoking during the 2nd week of taking this medicine. 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 this medicine, 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. 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 this medicine. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE EVEN IF YOU FEEL WELL. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, 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.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, OR BLURRED VISION. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine 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 this medicine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. THIS MEDICINE MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF SEIZURES. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking this medicine. 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 this medicine without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures. The risk of seizures may be greater if you take this medicine in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. Watch all patients who take this medicine 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. THIS MEDICINE 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 this medicine 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. THIS MEDICINE CONTAINS THE SAME INGREDIENTS AS THE ANTIDEPRESSANTS APLENZIN and WELLBUTRIN. Do not take this medicine if you are also taking Aplenzin, Wellbutrin, or other brands of bupropion. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. This medicine is found in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; or trouble sleeping. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience 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; dark urine; 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; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; rigid or painful muscles; seizures; severe dizziness; or slow or difficult breathing.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE PROGRAM THAT YOUR DOCTOR HAS PRESCRIBED, including behavioral changes, counseling, or support services, in order to stop smoking. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of reach of children and pets.
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