Drug
Bupropion
Pronounced
"byou-PRO-pee-on"
Uses
This medication is used in combination with a stop-smoking program (such as a support group, counseling) to help you quit smoking. Bupropion can decrease your nicotine withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness) and your urge to smoke. Quitting smoking decreases your risk of heart and lung disease, as well as cancer.
This medication belongs to a class of medications known as antidepressants. It is not known exactly how bupropion works to reduce smoking urges. It may work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (dopamine, norepinephrine) in the brain.
Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication, as well as other ways to quit smoking (such as nicotine replacement treatment), with your doctor.
Warning
Bupropion is an antidepressant used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression, other mental/mood disorders, and smoking cessation. Antidepressants can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience new or worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. It is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.
Tell the doctor right away if you notice new or worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
If you are using bupropion to quit smoking, stop taking bupropion and contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after stopping treatment.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used for binge eating disorder (BED) or mental/mood disorders (such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-ADHD, seasonal affective disorder, depressive phase of bipolar disorder).
How to Use This Medication
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, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. 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 the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your dose may be slowly increased to limit side effects. Do not take more or less medication or take it more often than prescribed. Taking more than the recommended dose of bupropion 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.