Wellbutrin SR 150mg N60 Tablets

is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder, is used to help people stop smoking

Brand Name: Wellbutrin SR (not available in generic)

Manufacturer: GlaxoWellcome, Inc.

Description: Bupropion hydrochloride is an antidepressant in the aminoketone class and is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other known antidepressant agents. Its neurochemical mechanism of action is unknown.

Indications and Uses: Bupropion is approved for use to treat depression. Recently it has been used with some success to treat Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), although this is not a use that has been approved by the FDA.

Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions: Wellbutrin SR should not be used in patients with a seizure disorder. Wellbutrin SR may cause generalized seizures in a dose dependent manner.  Wellbutrin SR should not be taken with Zyban because Zyban contains the same active ingredients.  Patients diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia (current or prior) should not take Bupropion because a higher incidence of seizures when such patients took Wellbutrin immediate release.  Bupropion is contraindicated in patients on MAOI's (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).  Not recommended for nursing mothers because of the potential for adverse reactions in their nursing infants.  There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant woman.

Adverse Reactions: Possible common side effects are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, sweaty, anorexia,  headache/migraine, nausea, dizziness, tinnitus, mylagia, abdominal pain, constipation, and tremor. Bupropion does not generally cause sexual dysfunction (loss of interest and inability to orgasm) often associated with many other antidepressants.

Dosing Range: Usual adult target dosage is 300 mg per day given in divided doses. Usually dosing begins at 150mg per day. The maximum allowable daily dose is 400mg per day given in divided doses. There should be an 8 hour interval between doses.  Dosing should be done in a manner to minimize seizure risk.

 Increasing dosages should be done slowly to avoid agitation and insomnia. Timing the last dose after the evening meal rather than at bedtime can minimize insomnia.

Wellbutrin

Generic Name: bupropion

What is the most important information I should know about bupropion?
• You should not take bupropion if you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives. Do not take 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 may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking this medication you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
• Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
• Do not stop taking bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
• 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.
• 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 bupropion. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking 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.
• There are many other drugs that can affect 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.

What is 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.
• Bupropion may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bupropion?
• Do not take 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 bupropion if you have:
· epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
· an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia;
· if you are using a second form of bupropion; or
· if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).
• Before taking bupropion, tell your doctor if you have:
· heart disease or high blood pressure;
· head injury, brain or spinal cord tumor;
· kidney disease;
· liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
· bipolar disorder (manic depression);
· diabetes for which you use insulin or take oral medication;
· current use of steroids, theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid), or medicine to treat depression or mental illness; or
· recent use of alcohol, sedatives (such as Valium), narcotic pain medicines, diet pills, or street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine.
• If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use bupropion, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
• Bupropion may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.
• You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. While you are taking bupropion, you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should 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.
• Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
• FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take bupropion without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bupropion?
• Take bupropion exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
• Bupropion can be taken with or without food.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Zyban SR). Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would 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 you 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 bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
• If you use the 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 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. Symptoms of a bupropion overdose may include seizures, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, fainting, fast or uneven heartbeat, shallow breathing, heart failure, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking bupropion?
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking bupropion. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking 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.
• 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.

What are the possible side effects of bupropion?
• 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.
• Stop using bupropion and call your doctor at once if you have a seizure (convulsions) or fast, uneven heartbeats.
• Continue taking bupropion and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
· headache or migraine;
· sleep problems (insomnia);
· nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth;
· confusion, dizziness, agitation, tremors (shaking);
· appetite changes, weight loss or gain;
· mild itching or skin rash, increased sweating; or
· loss of interest in sex.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect bupropion?
• Do not take 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.
• There are many other drugs that can affect 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.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about bupropion written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
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