Wellbutrin XL

Generic Name: Bupropion (oral) (byoo PRO pee on)
Brand Names: Aplenzin, Budeprion SR, Budeprion XL, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban, Zyban Advantage Pack

What is Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication.

Bupropion is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of Bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

What should I know about Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

Do not take Wellbutrin XL / 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 Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion if you have seizures, an eating disorder, if you are using another form of Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives.
Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when taken while using certain drugs. Notify your doctor about all of your medical conditions and ALL drugs you currently use.

Thoughts about suicide when first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old may occur. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as:

mood or behavior changes
anxiety
panic attacks
trouble sleeping
feel impulsive
feel irritable
feel agitated
feel hostile
feel aggressive
feel restless
feel hyperactive (mentally or physically)
feel more depressed
have thoughts about suicide
have thoughts about hurting yourself

Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

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

Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion may cause seizures in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Consult your doctor about ALL of your medical conditions and ALL 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.

It is not known whether Advair is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fluticasone and salmeterol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
* Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

Take Wellbutrin XL / 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.

Wellbutrin XL / 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 to 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 Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

If you use the Wellbutrin XL / 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 Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include:

seizures
muscle stiffness
hallucinations
fainting
fast or uneven heartbeat
shallow breathing

What should I avoid while taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
Avoid using Bupropion to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take Wellbutrin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.

Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion side effects

** Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

hives
difficulty breathing
swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as:

mood or behavior changes
anxiety
panic attacks
trouble sleeping
if you feel impulsive, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless
if you feel hyperactive (mentally or physically)
feel more depressed
have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

seizure (convulsions)
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling
confusion, trouble concentrating
hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior

Less serious side effects may include:

headache or migraine
sleep problems (insomnia)
nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth
dizziness, tremors (shaking)
appetite changes, weight loss or gain
mild itching or skin rash, increased sweating
loss of interest in sex

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion?

Many drugs can interact with Bupropion. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

cancer medicine such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) or thiotepa (Thioplex)
heart rhythm medication such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), and others
heart or blood pressure medication such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal), and others

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you. You may have a higher risk of seizures if you use certain medications together with Wellbutrin XL / Bupropion. Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

any other antidepressant, or a medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder
antihistamines that make you sleepy
asthma medications or bronchodilators
birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Urotrol)
certain antibiotics such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), penicillin, and others
diet pills, a stimulant, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth
medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness
medications to treat or prevent malaria
medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma)
medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection
narcotic pain medication
a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), and others
a steroid such as prednisone, and others
street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid)
ulcer or irritable bowel medications