Zyban Medication Information to Stop Smoking
The following
Zyban frequently asked question section is for informational purposes
only. The information has been compiled from a variety of resources
in order to give the reader an overview of the use and various effects
of the Zyban to help individuals stop smoking.
What
is Zyban?
When
is Zyban Contraindicated?
Are
there any medication or food interactions associated with Zyban?
How
long should individuals remain on Zyban?
What
about missed doses?
What
if an overdose of Zyban occurs?
What
are the most common side effects associate with taking Zyban?
Can
Zyban be used at the same time as nicotine patches?
Can
individuals drink alcohol or smoke while taking Zyban?
Are
there any concerns for patients with liver or kidney problems?
Should
Zyban be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding?
What is Zyban?
Zyban is the first non-nicotine, FDA-approved oral medication (a pill)
for smoking cessation. Zyban has proven to be twice as effective as
the nicotine patch in keeping patients smoke free in the long term.
It also has the potential to minimize the weight gain associated with
smoking cessation. Your chances of quitting with Zyban greatly depend
on your commitment to quitting. In both short-term and long-term clinical
studies, Zyban was significantly more effective than sugar pills in
helping patients stop smoking. It is important to participate in the
behavioral program, counseling, or other support program that your healthcare
professional recommends.
When is Zyban Contraindicated?
Zyban may trigger seizure activity particularly in individuals with
a prior history of eating disorder i.e. bulimia or anorexia. If you
suffer from one of these problems, you should not take Zyban. Individuals
who are taking a medication classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as
the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate should not take Zyban. If you
are taking these medication please consult with your physicians and
allow at least 14 days to pass between taking one of these drugs and
starting your Zyban therapy. If bupropion or any other ingredient in
Zyban has ever given you an allergic reaction, the drug is not for you.
Additional Warnings:
The chance of a
seizure from Zyban rises with the amount in your system, therefore,
individuals should not take more than one 150-milligram tablet at a
time, and limit your total daily intake to 2 doses (300 milligrams).
A variety of conditions can also predispose you to seizures, including:
- Prior head injuries
- Prior seizures
- Central nervous
system tumors
- Cirrhosis of
the liver
- Too much alcohol
- Abrupt withdrawal
from alcohol, tranquilizers, or sedatives
- Addiction to
narcotics or cocaine
- Use of over-the-counter
stimulants or diet pills
- Use of diabetes
medications
- Use of antidepressants,
major tranquilizers, steroids, or theophylline
Stop taking Zyban
and call your doctor immediately if you have difficulty breathing or
swallowing; notice swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat; develop
swollen arms and legs; or break out with itchy eruptions. These are
warning signs of a potentially severe allergic reaction.
If you have a liver
or kidney condition, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Your dosage
may need to be reduced. (If you have severe cirrhosis of the liver,
your dosage must be reduced.) Also make certain the physician knows
about any heart condition you may have.
Zyban can also interfere
with your driving ability. Don't drive or operate dangerous machinery
until you are certain of the drug's effect on you.
Are there any medication or food
interactions associated with Zyban?
If Zyban is used with certain other drugs, the effects of either could
be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check
with your doctor before combining Zyban with the following:
- Alcohol
- Antidepressants
such as Norpramin, Pamelor, Paxil, Prozac, Tofranil, and Zoloft
- Beta-blockers
(heart and blood pressure medications) such as Inderal, Lopressor,
and Tenormin
- Carbamazepine
(Tegretol)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Cyclophosphamide
(Cytoxan)
- Heart-stabilizing
drugs such as Rythmol and Tambocor
- Levodopa (Dopar,
Larodopa, Sinemet)
- Major tranquilizers
such as Haldol, Risperdal and Thorazine
- MAO inhibitors
such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
- Orphenadrine
(Norflex)
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Steroids such
as prednisone and hydrocortisone
- Theophylline
(Theo-Dur, Theolair)
How long should individuals remain
on Zyban?
For most patients, healthcare professionals will recommend staying on
Zyban for at least 7 to 12 weeks to help support long-term success .It
may be necessary to stay on Zyban for a longer period, depending on
your healthcare professional's recommendation. You've probably been
smoking for some time, and your body has become accustomed to it. Zyban
helps reduce withdrawal symptoms as you remove cigarettes from your
life. It's important to remain on Zyban for at least 7 to 12 weeks and
possibly up to 6 months depending on your healthcare professional's
instructions.
What about missed doses ?
If you forget to take a dose, do not take an extra tablet to "catch
up" for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next tablet at
the regular time. Do not take more tablets than your healthcare professional
prescribed. This is important so you do not increase your chance of
having a seizure. It is important to swallow Zyban tablets whole. Do
not chew, divide, or crush tablets. You may take Zyban with or without
food.
What if an overdose of Zyban occurs?
Information on Zyban overdose is limited. However, any medication taken
in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose,
seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Zyban overdose may include:
blurred vision, confusion, grogginess, jitteriness, light-headedness,
nausea, seizure, sluggishness, visual hallucinations.
What are the most common side
effects associate with taking Zyban?
The most common side effects that caused people to stop taking Zyban
during clinical studies were shakiness and skin rash. Individuals should
stop taking Zyban and contact your healthcare professional if you have
signs of an allergic reaction such as a rash, hives, or difficulty in
breathing. Discuss any troublesome side effects with your physician.
If you have trouble
sleeping, try not to take your medication too close to bedtime. If you're
taking two tablets each day, take one early in the day and the second
one in the late afternoon or very early evening. Be sure that you take
them at least 8 hours apart. Also, try to avoid drinking any beverages
that contain caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. This includes
coffee, tea, and many sodas. If you are still troubled by difficulty
sleeping, speak with your healthcare professional.
Keep in mind your
reasons for quitting smoking. Consider the effects years of smoking
cigarettes have on your body; then weigh this against any short-term
discomfort you might experience while quitting. Remember to reward yourself
for each day you're smoke free!
Can Zyban be used at the same
time as nicotine patches?
Yes, Zyban and nicotine patches can be used at the same time but should
only be used together under the supervision of your healthcare professional.
Using Zyban and nicotine patches together may raise your blood pressure.
Your healthcare professional will probably want to check your blood
pressure regularly to make sure that it stays within acceptable levels.
DO NOT SMOKE AT ANY TIME if you are using the nicotine patch or any
other nicotine product in combination with Zyban. It is possible to
get too much nicotine and experience serious side effects.
Can individuals drink alcohol
or smoke while taking Zyban?
Individuals should not to drink alcohol at all, or to drink very little,
while taking Zyban. People who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly
stop drinking, may increase their risk of seizure. Be sure to discuss
this matter with your healthcare professional before you begin taking
Zyban .Alcohol also decreases your inhibitions which may result in a
return to smoking, especially if you commonly smoke while drinking.
It is not physically
dangerous to smoke and use Zyban at the same time. However, continuing
to smoke after the date you set to stop smoking will seriously reduce
your chance of breaking the smoking habit.
Are there any concerns for patients
with liver or kidney problems?
If you have liver or kidney problems, tell your doctor before taking
Zyban. Depending on the severity of your condition, your physician may
need to adjust your dosage.
Should Zyban be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding?
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.
