Zyban
Key points
- ZYBAN reg; is a prescription-strength medication that helps people quit smoking.
- Do not crush or chew them or the sustained activity of the drug will be destroyed and the chances of side effects occurring may be increased.
- Dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, constipation, anxiety and fatigue may occur.
- Before taking bupropion tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, head injury, brain tumor; heart, liver or kidney disease, an eating disorder or any mental conditions, diabetes or if you have any allergies.
ZYBAN reg; is a prescription-strength medication that helps people quit smoking. Zyban is the first nicotine-free pill approved to help you quit smoking and reduce your urge to smoke.
Zyban Usage
Zyban is used to help you quit smoking.
How To Take Zyban
Swallow Zyban whole. Do not crush or chew them or the sustained activity of the drug will be destroyed and the chances of side effects occurring may be increased. Take Zyban as directed, usually twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or less Zyban medication than prescribed. Since Zyban can cause sleeplessness at first, it is best not to take near bedtime. It is advised to continue smoking for the first week after starting Zyban, until it reaches higher levels in your blood. Do not smoke if using any nicotine products with this drug. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
Zyban Side Effects
Zyban is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, constipation, anxiety and fatigue may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Precautions for Zyban
Before taking bupropion tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, head injury, brain tumor; heart, liver or kidney disease, an eating disorder or any mental conditions, diabetes or if you have any allergies. 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 bupropion may increase the risk of having seizures. Suddenly stopping certain tranquilizers (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) is not recommended because doing so may increase the risk of having 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 is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Zyban is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Zyban Interactions
Before taking bupropion tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medications you may use especially MAO inhibitors (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, selegiline, furazolidone), levodopa, theophylline, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), seizure medications, sedatives, ritonavir, tranquilizers/psychiatric drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine), other antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), salicylates (e.g., aspirin, salsalate), isoniazid, chlolinesterase inhibitors (e.g., tacrine, donepezil), morphine, and adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., pseudoephedrine). Excess caffeine intake can increase the chance of seizures with . Check all nonprescription/prescription drug labels for caffeine. Consult doctor or pharmacist. A certain product used to help quit smoking contains bupropion. Do not take that product while using .
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.

