Drug name:
Wellbutrin
What is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin®
is an antidepressant that works by
affecting two chemicals in the brain that
are believed to help regulate your mood (dopamine and norepinephrine).
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How to use
This
medication may be taken with food if stomach upset
occurs. Take doses at regularly scheduled times each
day. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed
and follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Taking
more than the recommended dose of bupropion will
increase your risk of having a seizure. Do not stop
taking this medication without notifying your doctor.
Since this drug may cause sleeplessness at first, it is
best not to take this near bedtime. It may take 4 weeks
or more before the full effects of this medication are
noticed.
Side effects
This
medication is generally well tolerated. Dry mouth,
headache, increased sweating, nausea/vomiting,
constipation, anxiety, fatigue and blurred vision may
occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your
doctor. Report promptly: unusual weight loss or gain,
palpitations, agitation, trouble sleeping. Unlikely but
report promptly: tremor, dizziness, fainting, mood
changes, slowed movements, difficulty urinating,
decreased sex drive, drowsiness. Very unlikely but
report promptly: seizures, mental problems, fever,
muscle aches, yellowing of the eyes or skin. In the
unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this
drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms may
include trouble breathing, rash, itching, swelling, or
severe dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed
above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
Before
taking bupropion, tell your doctor if you have: history
of seizures or head injury or brain tumor, heart
disease, liver or kidney disease, eating disorder,
diabetes, alcohol dependence, any allergies, the intent
to quit smoking. Because of the possibility this drug
will make you dizzy and affect coordination, do not
drive or operate machinery until you get used to the
drug's effects. 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 passes 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, linezolid,
furazolidone), levodopa, ritonavir, corticosteroids
(e.g. prednisone), sedatives, adrenaline-like stimulants
(e.g., ephedrine), products containing nicotine (e.g.,
patches or gum). Also report use of drugs which might
increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) such
as: phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), tricyclic
antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), isoniazid (INH),
theophylline. Excess caffeine intake can increase the
chance of seizures with this drug. Check all
nonprescription/prescription drug labels for caffeine.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist. A certain product
used to help quit smoking contains bupropion. Do not
take that product while using this one. Do not start or
stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Overdose
If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may
include seizures, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, and
loss of consciousness.
Notes
Do not allow
anyone else to take this medication.
Missed dose
Take any
missed dose as soon as possible but not if it is within
4 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. Do
not store in the bathroom.