What is Bupropion ER: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Bupropion ER

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• You may need to take Wellbutrin® for up to 4 weeks before you feel better. You may need to take Zyban® for 1 to 2 weeks before the date that you plan to stop smoking.

• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

• It is best to take Aplenzin® in the morning.

• Do not take Wellbutrin® or Zyban® close to bedtime if you have trouble sleeping.

• Take it with food if it upsets your stomach or if you have nausea.

• If you take the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• If you take the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

• Take it with food if it upsets your stomach or if you have nausea.

• Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• It is best to take Aplenzin® in the morning.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• You may need to take Wellbutrin® for up to 4 weeks before you feel better. You may need to take Zyban® for 1 to 2 weeks before the date that you plan to stop smoking.

• Do not take Wellbutrin® or Zyban® close to bedtime if you have trouble sleeping.

What to do if you miss a dose of Bupropion ER

Bupropion ER contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to bupropion, or if you have seizures, anorexia, or bulimia.

Bupropion ER warnings

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, mental illness (including bipolar disorder), or high blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug addiction or if you drink alcohol.

• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of seizuresChanges in mood or behaviorHigh blood pressureSerious skin reactions

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Zyban® is only part of a complete program to help you quit smoking. You may still want to smoke at times. Have a plan to cope with these situations.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Bupropion ER interactions

• Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other. Do not use Zyban® to quit smoking if you already take Aplenzin® or Wellbutrin® for depression, because they are the same medicine.

• Tell your doctor if you take barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antiseizure medicine, or sedatives, or if you recently stopped taking them.

• Some medicines can affect how bupropion works. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following: Amantadine, carbamazepine, cimetidine, clopidogrel, cyclophosphamide, digoxin, efavirenz, levodopa, lopinavir, nelfinavir, nicotine patch, orphenadrine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, ritonavir, tamoxifen, theophylline, thiotepa, ticlopidineBeta blocker medicine (including metoprolol)A blood thinner (including warfarin)Insulin or diabetes medicineMedicine to treat depression (including desipramine, fluoxetine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine)Medicine to treat heart rhythm problems (including flecainide, propafenone)Medicine to treat mental illness (including haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine)Steroid medicine (including dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

• Zyban® is only part of a complete program to help you quit smoking. You may still want to smoke at times. Have a plan to cope with these situations.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.