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Zyban Information:

ZYBAN helps reduce your urge to smoke and can make quitting bearable. You may continue to smoke after you begin to take ZYBAN. Then you and your healthcare professional will set a quit date, usually 8 to 14 days after your first dose of ZYBAN. When your quit date arrives, you stop smoking and continue taking ZYBAN.

For most patients, healthcare professionals will recommend staying on ZYBAN for at least 7 to 12 weeks to help support long-term success. It may be necessary to stay on ZYBAN for a longer period, depending on your healthcare professional's recommendation. You've probably been smoking for some time, and your body has become accustomed to it. ZYBAN helps reduce withdrawal symptoms as you remove cigarettes from your life. It's important to remain on ZYBAN for at least 7 to 12 weeks and possibly up to 6 months depending on your healthcare professional's instructions.

Zyban Side Effects:

You should not take ZYBAN if you: are taking WELLBUTRIN® (bupropion HCl) Tablets or WELLBUTRIN SR® (bupropion HCl) Sustained-Release Tablets, are taking any other medicines that contain bupropion HCl, have or have had a seizure disorder (for example, epilepsy), have or have had an eating disorder, are abruptly discontinuing use of alcohol or sedatives (including benzodiazepines), are currently taking or have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or are allergic to bupropion HCl. There is a risk of seizure associated with ZYBAN, which is increased in certain patients. It is important to let your healthcare professional know about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. ZYBAN is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. When used with a nicotine patch or alone, there is a risk of increased blood pressure, sometimes severe. Also, to reduce the risk of serious side effects, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. The most common side effects from ZYBAN are dry mouth and some difficulty sleeping. If you experience dry mouth while you're taking ZYBAN, you may be more comfortable if you drink plenty of water. Also, some people find that sucking on lozenges or chewing sugarless gum helps keep your mouth moist. The most common side effects that caused people to stop taking ZYBAN during clinical studies were shakiness and skin rash. STOP taking ZYBAN and contact your healthcare professional if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as a rash, hives, or difficulty in breathing. Discuss any troublesome side effects with your doctor. If you have trouble sleeping, try not to take your medication too close to bedtime. If you're taking two tablets each day, take one early in the day and the second one in the late afternoon or very early evening. Be sure that you take them at least 8 hours apart. Also, try to avoid drinking any beverages that contain caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. This includes coffee, tea, and many sodas. If you are still troubled by difficulty sleeping, speak with your healthcare professional. Keep in mind your reasons for quitting smoking. Consider the effects years of smoking cigarettes have on your body; then weigh this against any short-term discomfort you might experience while quitting. Remember to reward yourself for each day you're smoke free!

ZYBAN is a non-nicotine, prescription-strength medication to help you quit smoking. While it's unclear exactly how ZYBAN works, ZYBAN is thought to work on chemicals in the brain. It helps reduce the urge to smoke and lessens symptoms of withdrawal. Your chances of quitting with ZYBAN greatly depend on your commitment to quitting. In both short-term and long-term clinical studies, ZYBAN was significantly more effective than sugar pills in helping patients stop smoking. It is important to participate in the behavioral program, counseling, or other support program that your healthcare professional recommends. ZYBAN and the ZYBAN Advantage Plan® are used as part of this comprehensive smoking cessation treatment program.

Zyban Directions:

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a medication guide and a patient information leaflet. Read them carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you are taking more than 1 dose each day, allow at least 8 hours between doses. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Zyban Precautions:

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.IT TAKES 1 WEEK for this medicine to work. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. During the first week of taking this medicine you should continue to smoke. You should plan to stop smoking during the second week of taking this medicine.

ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR CONDITION is recommended at the start of treatment with this medicine and whenever a change to your dose is made. If you experience anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsive feelings, severe restlessness, or feelings of depression, contact your doctor as soon as possible. These may be signs that your treatment with this medicine should be re-evaluated. If you are a parent or caregiver of a patient that is taking this medicine, it is important for you to watch for these symptoms daily. Contact the doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Contact your doctor for more information.

THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE of bupropion; doing so will increase your risk of having a seizure. Limit or avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase your risk of seizures. Chronic alcohol users who suddenly stop the intake of alcohol while taking this medicine may increase the risk of having seizures.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENT PATIENTS because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.