Dosage
Zyban is given to a patient 150 mg/day (one tablet per day) for three days, and then the dosage is increased to 300 mg/day (2 tablets per day of 150 mg). The course of treatment, which begins one week before the target quit date can be 8 weeks or more. It can be stopped abruptly. It can be combined with nicotine replacement therapy.
How It Works
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.
Zyban is a non-nicotine aid to smoking cessation. Initially developed and marketed as an antidepressant (Wellbutrin [bupropion hydrochloride] Tablets and Wellbutrin SR [sustained release tablets], Zyban is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, or other known antidepressant agents. Its structure closely resembles that of diethylpropion; it is related to phenylethylamines. Zyban is a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, and does not inhibit monoamine oxidase. The mechanism by which Zyban enhances the ability of patients to abstain from smoking is unknown. However, it is presumed that this action is mediated by noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, Zyban may cause side effects. The most common side effects include dry mouth and difficulty sleeping. These side effects are generally mild and often disappear after a few weeks. If you are having difficulty sleeping, avoid taking your medicine too close to bedtime.
The most common side effects that caused people to stop taking Zyban during clinical studies were shakiness and skin rash. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you have a rash or other troublesome side effects. Use caution before driving a car or operating complex machinery until you know if Zyban affects your ability to perform these tasks.
Warnings
There is a chance that approximately 1 out of every 1000 people taking bupropion hydrochloride, the active ingredient in Zyban, will have a seizure. The chance of this happening increases if you:
- have a seizure disorder (for example epilepsy) have or have had an eating disorder (for example, bulimia or anorexia nervosa)
- take more than the recommended amount of Zyban
- take other medicines with the same active ingredient that is in Zyban, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) Tablets and Wellbutrin SR (bupropion hydrochloride) Sustained-Release Tablets
You can reduce the chances of experiencing a seizure by following your doctor's directions on how to take Zyban. You should also discuss with your doctor whether Zyban is right for you.
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