Zyban (Bupropion)Zyban InformationBupropion is the generic name of a medication that is most often ingested by humans as an antidepressant, seasonal affective disorder treatment, and smoking cessation aid. When marketed as a medication to aid in quitting smoking, bupropion is sold under the brand name zyban. Unlike other smoking cessation medications prior to it, zyban does not contain nicotine. On may 14 in 1997, it was the first medication that did not contain nicotine to be approved by the US food and drug administration as a smoking cessation aid. In addition, zyban is effective with other forms of nicotine addiction. Bupropion is a nicotine receptor antagonist. It binds to nicotine receptors in the human brain and prevents nicotine from binding to them. This dramatically reduces or eliminates the pleasant effects of nicotine, making it easier to quit smoking. The antidepressant qualities of the drug help ease nicotine withdrawl symptoms. When marketed as a medication to aid in treating depression, bupropion has been sold under the brand names aplenzin, wellbutrin, wellbutrin sr, wellbutrin xl. In addition, wellbutrin xl has also been prescribed as a prevention for seasonal affective disorder. Zyban Dosage It is usually prescribed to be taken twice a day, but the initial dose is one 150 milligram tablet once a day for 3 days. After 3 days the dose is increased to one 150 milligram tablet twice a day. When consumed twice a day, doses should be a minimum of 8 hours apart. Try not to take zyban close to bed time, it may prevent you from falling asleep. If you miss taking a dose, do not take 2 pills to make up for it. Wait, and take your next dose at the time it is usually ingested. A person wishing to quit smoking should start taking zyban before they have attempted to stop (while they are still smoking). It takes about a week of treatment with zyban to achieve steady levels of it in the blood. Any attempt to quit smoking should take place 1-2 weeks after treatment was first started. Expect to take it for about 2-3 months. Even if you quit smoking after 2 weeks on zyban, you should remain on it for another 6-10 weeks (that will be 8-12 weeks in total). After 8 weeks of taking zyban, you can either try to stop taking it altogether or reduce the dosage to a single pill every day, until you are ready to stop taking it completely. Another option is to continue ongoing therapy with zyban for another 4 weeks, or a longer extended period. If you haven't quit smoking by the eighth week of treatment, it is unlikely that zyban is going to help you do so. Treatment should be discontinued and an alternative method of smoking cessation should be contemplated. In most countries a prescription is required to obtain zyban. However, depending on what part of the world you live in, zyban may be available over the counter (or behind the counter) without a prescription. Zyban is not addictive and there is no need to taper off the dose size if you are going to stop taking it. However you may wish to taper off, if you think completely stopping your intake abruptly will cause you to resume smoking. Do not split, chew, or crush zyban pills. Doing so can defeat the time release action of the drug and increase the chance of negative side effects. Zyban Side EffectsThe side effects and warnings listed below are some of the more important ones. It is recommended that you read the entire 'prescribing information' or 'patient information' sheet that is available for zyban. To do so, visit the GlaxoSmithKline website and do a search for zyban. Prior to taking zyban, talk to your doctor if you are taking: antidepressants, herbal medicines, major tranquilizers, maoi's, over-the-counter medications, phenobarbital, or any other medication. Zyban does not contain nicotine so you can use nicotine patches and take zyban, but your blood pressure may increase. Monitor your blood pressure if both zyban and nicotine patches are used simultaneously. Don't smoke when taking zyban and any other nicotine based product, the nicotine level in your body could reach dangerous levels. Although a fatal overdose of bupropion is very rare, there have been documented cases. The main serious side effect is seizure. In fact, wellbutrin (a brand name for bupropion used to treat depression) was once withdrawn from the market because it was causing an alarming number of seizures. The chance of having a seizure after consuming bupropion is related to the dose size. As the dose size increases, so does the chance of having a seizure. When used as an aid to stop smoking, minimize the possibility of having a seizure by keeping the total daily intake of zyban to 300 milligrams or less. Other common side effects of bupropion include dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, skin rash, sweating, shakiness, weight loss. Less common side effects include, a decrease in white blood cell count, hypomania (a form of mania), tinnitus (a persistent sound seeming to have no source). Zyban can cause a person to feel very awake. Many people who take it say they don't feel tired and have trouble sleeping. If you tend to be a little controlling or show signs of obsessive compulsive disorder to begin with, zyban (in addition to trying to quit smoking) may increase those feelings. Pregnant women should not ingest any form of bupropion. According to a study (published online 26 april, 2010) in the ajog, researchers estimate that 2 in every 1000 women who take bupropion during the first trimester will give birth to a child with the birth defects. Although there have been other studies that have concluded that bupropion is safe for pregnant mothers to take, if possible it is better to be safe and stay away from it. It's only recommended for use during pregnancy (and breastfeeding) if the benefits outweigh the risks. Zyban WarningsSome people taking zyban (bupropion) to stop smoking have reported symptoms such as changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so) while taking bupropion to stop smoking. The role of bupropion in causing these mood changes is unclear since people who quit smoking with or without medication may experience changes in their mental health due to nicotine withdrawal. However, some of these symptoms occurred in people who were taking bupropion and continued to smoke. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking bupropion, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping bupropion. These symptoms have occurred in people without a history of mental illness. People who already had a prior history of mental illness have reported a worsening in their condition. Do not take any form of bupropion without consulting your doctor if you have or have ever suffered from depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, loss of interest in life, strong or inappropriate emotions, or other mental illnesses. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking zyban and call your doctor immediately: acting dangerously; agitation; angry/violent behavior; anxiety; confusion; hallucinations; hypomania; mania; new/worsening depression; panic attacks; psychosis; restlessness; sudden/unusual behavior; suicidal ideations; thinking people are against you. Because of the mental problems experienced by some people who take zyban, drugs that may induce psychotic reactions (alcohol, marijuana, etcetera) should be taken in minimal size doses when being treated with zyban. If any of these drugs cause you to have negative reactions in small quantities, it is best to totally avoid them until the treatment with zyban is finished. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Your doctor will be able to monitor you until your symptoms get better. © copyright - www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/ |
