Wellbutrin (Bupropion Hcl) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Wellbutrin Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bupropion?

Do not take bupropion if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

You should not take bupropion if you have:

epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia;
if you are using a second form of bupropion; or
if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).

Bupropion may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:

heart disease, high blood pressure, history of heart attack;
a history of head injury, seizures, or brain or spinal cord tumor;
kidney disease;
liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
bipolar disorder (manic depression);

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take bupropion without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take bupropion?

Take bupropion exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Bupropion can be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment. By that time you will have enough of the medicine in your blood stream to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble quitting after you have used Zyban for at least 7 weeks.

Your doctor may prescribe nicotine patches or gum to help support your smoking cessation treatment. Be sure you read all directions and safety information for the nicotine product. Using nicotine with Zyban may raise your blood pressure and your doctor may want to check your blood pressure regularly. Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.

Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

If you use the bupropion extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.

Store bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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