Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of bupropion. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Anorexia nervosa, or history of or
- Brain tumor or
- Bulimia, or history of or
- Drug abuse or
- Head injury, history of or
- Mental retardation or
- Seizure disorders - The risk of seizures may be increased when bupropion is taken by patients with these conditions
- Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) or
- Other nervous, mental, or emotional conditions or High blood pressure - Bupropion may make the condition worse
- Heart disease - Higher blood levels of bupropion may result, increasing the chance of side effects, or blood pressure may be increased
- Kidney disease or Liver disease - Higher blood levels of bupropion may result, increasing the chance of side effects.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Use bupropion only as directed by your doctor . Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
For patients taking the prompt-release tablet form of this medicine
Take doses at least 4 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures.
For patients taking the extended-release tablet form of this medicine
Take doses at least 8 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures. Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew them. To lessen stomach upset, this medicine may be taken with food, unless your doctor has told you to take it on an empty stomach.
For patients taking this medicine to help stop smoking
Start taking bupropion 1 week before you plan to stop smoking. A date in the second week that you are taking bupropion should be chosen as the target date on which to stop smoking.
While you are taking bupropion it is important to participate in a support program to help you stop smoking, as recommended by your doctor.
For patients taking this medicine for mental depression
Usually this medicine must be taken for several weeks before you feel better. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. You will probably need to keep taking bupropion for at least 6 months to help prevent the return of the depression.
Dosing
The dose of bupropion will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of bupropion. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking bupropion.
For oral extended-release dosage form (tablets)
For mental depression
Adults - At first, 150 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 200 mg two times a day.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
To help you stop smoking
Adults - At first, 150 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 150 mg two times a day.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral prompt-release dosage form (tablets)
For mental depression
Adults - At first, 100 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 150 mg three times a day.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose
If you are taking the extended-release or the prompt-release form of this medicine and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few months of treatment with this medicine. The amount of bupropion you take may have to be changed often to meet the needs of your condition and to help avoid unwanted effects.
Do not take bupropion within 14 days of taking an MAO inhibitor.
Bupropion is sold under different brand names for different uses. If you are already taking medicine for mental depression or to help you stop smoking, discuss this with your health care professional before taking bupropion. It is very important that you receive only one prescription for bupropion at a time.
Drinking of alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided, if possible, while taking bupropion. This will help prevent seizures.
This medicine may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being, or to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and clearheaded.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Less common
- buzzing or ringing in ears
- headache (severe)
- skin rash, hives, or itching
Rare
- confusion
- extreme distrust
- fainting
- false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- seizures (convulsions), especially with higher doses; trouble in concentrating
Symptoms of overdose-may be more severe than side effects seen at regular doses, or two or more may occur together
- fast heartbeat
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- loss of consciousness
- nausea
- seizures (convulsions)
- vomiting
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- decrease in appetite
- dizziness
- dryness of mouth
- increased sweating
- nausea or vomiting
- trembling or shaking
- trouble in sleeping
- weight loss (unusual)
Less common
- blurred vision
- change in sense of taste
- drowsiness
- feeling of fast or irregular heartbeat
- frequent need to urinate
- muscle pain
- sore throat
- unusual feeling of well-being
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
