Zyban (Bupropion SR)

What is Zyban?

Zyban is an antidepressant that comes under the class of Smoking Cessation Agents. It is a non-nicotine aid.

What is Zyban used for?

Zyban helps people give up smoking. It is also used in the treatment of serious depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder.

How does Zyban work?

Zyban is known to work by affecting certain neurotransmitters and thereby reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability and aggressiveness.

How to use Zyban

To take Zyban dosage, follow all the instructions given on the prescription label.

Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. It should be swallowed as a whole and it can be taken both with and without food. After taking the pills for one week, set a quit date to stop smoking, in the second week.

Inform your doctor, if, even after taking the pills for seven weeks, you are unable to give up smoking.

Also, you might be prescribed nicotine patches or gum to be taken along with these tablets. Use them properly and regularly, just as prescribed.

Zyban warnings and precautions

Zyban is not recommended for people who are prone to suicidal thoughts or about hurting themselves.

Before taking this medication inform your doctor about your medical history of depression and other neurological disorders, anorexia or bulimia, kidney or liver disease, head surgery, or seizure due to epilepsy.

Do not smoke, if you are using other nicotine products along with Zyban tablets, as this will lead to excess of nicotine in the body and can result in serious health complications.

These tablets should not be discontinued without first consulting with the doctor.

What do I do if I have missed a Zyban dose?

If you have missed your Zyban dose, you should take it as soon as you remember, but do not take it if it’s already time for the next dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Zyban overdose?

If you have taken a Zyban overdose, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Zyban interactions

There is a list of medicines that can interact with Zyban. A few of them are cancer or heart rhythm medicines, blood pressure medications, other antidepressants, asthma, bladder medications, birth control tablets, diet pills, insulin and other  diabetes medicines, medications for nausea, malaria, Parkinson’s disease and narcotic pain; medicines used to treat organ transplant rejection and bowel medications. It is not advisable to take any of these medicines along with Zyban.

Antibiotics like cefdinir, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin and penicillin should also not be taken without a prior medical advice, while you are on Zyban dosing schedule.

Also inform your doctor if you are already taking other over-the-counter pills, herbal products, vitamins, or minerals.

Zyban side effects

If the consumption of Zyban results breathing trouble, hives, convulsions, severe blistering, peeling and red skin rash, confusion, difficulty in concentrating, fever, swollen glands, itching, joint pain, hallucinations, or swelling on face and lips, consult the doctor without delay.

Some of the serious Zyban side-effects include panic attacks, mood swings, anxiety, sleeping problem, aggressiveness, restlessness, depression, or thoughts about hurting yourself. Consult your doctor at once, if you witness such symptoms after consuming this medicine.

Other minor side-effects from Zyban are headache or migraine, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, loss of interest in sex, increased sweating, tremors, and appetite changes. Talk to your doctor if such signs persist for long after taking Zyban.