WHAT IS THIS MEDICATION FOR?
Bupron XL 150mg is prescribed for depression and smoking cessation. It increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and reduces the cravings, anxiety, irritability and other symptoms associated with depression.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Bupropion raises chemicals in the brain. With low mood (depression), sleep and eating habits may get better fast. Other signs may take up to 4 to 6 weeks to get better. It eases the need to smoke and helps with withdrawal signs from smoking. It does not contain nicotine. It has a calming effect with attention deficit problems.
HOW TO USE?
To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses. Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach. Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush. You may take this drug for 1 week before you stop smoking. Nicotine products and counseling may be used at the same time for best results. Take tablet early in the day to stop sleep problems. Take at least 6 hours before bedtime.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug affects you. Long-acting tablet shell in the stool. Hot flashes. Wearing layers of clothes or summer clothes and staying in cool places may help. Headache. Belly pain. Shakiness. Nervous and excitable. Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. Hard stool(constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative. Dry mouth. Good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. See a dentist often. Not able to sleep. Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal. Not hungry. Unsafe allergic effects may rarely happen.
WHAT TO DO IF I MISS A DOSE?
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
PRECAUTIONS:
If you have an allergy to bupropion or any other part of this drug. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs. If you have any of these health problems: Eating problem or seizures. If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this drug is started. Taking both at the same time could cause risky high blood pressure.
WHEN DO I NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP?
If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away. Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or gray skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing yourself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life. Change in thinking clearly and with logic. A fast heartbeat. Very bad headache. Very nervous and excitable. If you have not been able to quit smoking after taking this drug for 12 weeks. If seizures are new or worse after starting this drug. Any rash. Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.
CAN I TAKE IT WITH OTHER MEDICINES?
Sometimes drugs are not safe when you take them with certain other drugs and food. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take.
FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
Avoid Alcohol.
HOW TO STORE:
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
PREGNANCY CATEGORY:
Category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
THERAPEUTIC CLASSIFICATION:
Drugs Used in Substance Dependence, Antidepressants.