This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Zyban is a nicotine-free quit-smoking aid. Instead of nicotine, it contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant medication Wellbutrin. It works by boosting the levels of several chemical messengers in the brain. With more of these chemicals at work, you experience a reduction in nicotine withdrawal symptoms and a weakening of the urge to smoke. More than a third of the people who take Zyban while participating in a support program are able to quit smoking for at least 1 month. Zyban can also prove helpful when people with conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema decide it's time to quit.

How to Take

Adults: 150 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 150 mg two times a day.

Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Warning and Precautions

Zyban may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zyban with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Zyban; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Zyban may increase your risk of seizures. Your risk may be greater if you also have certain medical conditions, use certain medicines, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk to your doctor to see if you may have a greater risk of seizures while taking Zyban.

If you already drink alcohol or use sedatives, do not suddenly stop them without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping them may increase your seizure risk.

Do not take decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine), stimulants, or diet pills while you are taking Zyban without first checking with your doctor. They may increase your risk of seizures.

The risk of seizures may be greater if you take Zyban in high doses or for a long time. Do not take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use Zyban for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Zyban may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Zyban closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.

If you have trouble sleeping, you may be taking your dose too close to bedtime. Talk with your doctor about changing your dosing schedule.

It is important to follow the program that your doctor has prescribed, including behavioral changes, counseling, or support services, in order to stop smoking.

Zyban can be used together with the nicotine skin patches only under the supervision of your doctor. Using these medicines together may raise your blood pressure. If you are already using a nicotine skin patch, your blood pressure should be checked regularly.

Do not smoke if you are using Zyban along with the nicotine skin patch or any nicotine product.

Stopping smoking may change the amount of certain medicines (eg, theophylline, warfarin) in your blood. Be sure your doctor knows all the medicines that you are taking.

Zyban contains the same ingredients as Wellbutrin, an antidepressant. Do not take Zyban if you are also taking Wellbutrin or other brands of bupropion. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Zyban has not been tested in pregnant women. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, do your best to quit smoking with the aid of counseling and support before turning to drug therapy. For the sake of the baby, you should avoid smoking or taking nicotine in any other form while pregnant.

Zyban appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Ask your doctor whether it will be better to discontinue the medication or to stop breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Symptoms of Zyban overdose may include: blurred vision, confusion, grogginess, jitteriness, light-headedness, nausea, seizure, sluggishness, visual hallucinations. Contact your doctor if you think you have taken too much of the medicine.

Storage

Store Zyban at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tight, light-resistant container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zyban out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects: anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; trouble sleeping. Seek medical attention if any of these side effects occur.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zyban. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.