How To Take This Medication:
Swallow this medication 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 as
directed, usually twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or less medication than
prescribed. Since this drug 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 this drug,
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.
Side Effects:
This medication 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:
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 this drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant before taking this drug. This drug is excreted into breast milk.
Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not
recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug 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 this
drug. 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 this one.
Notes:
Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Missed Dosage:
Take any missed dose as soon as possible but not if it is within 8 hours of the next dose.
If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do
not "double up" the dose.
Storage:
Store at room temperature and keep away from moisture and sunlight. Keep this and all
medications out of the reach of children.
