bupropion HCl (smoking deter)

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 (e.g., 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 chemicals (neurotransmitters) 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.

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 regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily with or without food. 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.

Do not crush or chew this medication. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects, including seizures. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your dose may be slowly increased to limit side effects. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. Do not take more than 150 milligrams in a single dose. Do not take more than 300 milligrams per day. Taking more than the recommended dose of this medication 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.

See also How to Use section.

Dry mouth and trouble sleeping may occur as your body gets used to the drug. Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, blurred vision, increased sweating, strange taste in mouth, or stomach pain may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, agitation, confusion, memory loss), muscle aches, ringing in the ears, severe headache, uncontrolled movements (tremor), unusual weight loss or gain.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: eye pain/swelling/redness, widened pupils, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night).

This drug may rarely cause seizures. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a seizure. If you have a seizure while taking bupropion, you should not take this drug again.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

An empty tablet shell may appear in your stool. This is harmless.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

See also the How to Use and Warnings section.

Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures or conditions that increase your risk of seizures (including brain/head injury, brain tumors, arteriovenous malformation, eating disorders such as bulimia/anorexia nervosa), alcohol/drug dependence, diabetes, heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, thoughts of suicide), personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).

This medication should not be used if you are suddenly stopping regular use of sedatives (including benzodiazepines such as lorazepam), drugs used to treat seizures, or alcohol. Doing so may increase your risk of seizures.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Alcohol may also increase your risk of seizures.

Do not take this medicine with any other product that contains bupropion (e.g., antidepressants) since large doses of bupropion are more likely to cause seizures.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness and memory loss. Dizziness can increase the risk of falling.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Behavioral therapy and stop-smoking education is preferred for pregnant women who desire to stop smoking. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Bupropion tablets may have a strange odor. This is normal, and the medication is still safe to use. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

See also Precautions section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: codeine, pimozide, tamoxifen.

Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

This medication may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including brain scan for Parkinson's disease, urine screening for amphetamines), possibly causing false results. Tell laboratory personnel and all your doctors you use this drug.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and loss of consciousness.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure monitoring, liver function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.