Zyban Containing Buproprion Is Used By Smokers Who want To Quit Their Smoking Habits

Zyban General Information

Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrochloride

Brand Name: Zyban

Zyban is used to help smokers quit their smoking habits. It does not contain the harmful nicotine, but instead it contains the chemical called Buproprion.

Zyban Uses

The drug affects several chemical messengers in the brain, by working to boost their levels. This leads to a reduction in nicotine withdrawal symptoms along with bringing down the urge for smoking. It has been found that more than one-third of people who use Zyban are able to quit smoking for at least a month. People affected with chronic bronchitis and emphysema have found this as an effective quit-smoking aid.

How Take Zyban

Zyban tablets should be taken as a whole without chewing, dividing or crushing. The effectiveness of this aid is likely to increase with the participation in counseling and support programs. The treatment starts while an individual is still smoking. Zyban normally starts yielding results after a week’s use. So, one should not try to quit smoking before the second week. One should set a firm date for quitting. But if the individual goes on smoking even after that date, then the probability of success gets diminished. Zyban has to be used for 7 to 12 weeks. Use of nicotine patches are allowed during the treatment with Zyban. But the combination can lead to an increase in blood pressure. While using a patch, one should avoid smoking as too much nicotine can cause serious side effects. The total daily intake should be restricted to two doses or 300 milligrams.

Zyban Warnings

Seizures have been reported in at least one person out of thousand who take Zyban. That is why; this drug should not be recommended for the individuals suffering from epilepsy and certain other disorders. Zyban is also not meant to be shared with friends. Only a doctor can decide whether it is safe for a specific individual. The possibility of seizures increases with the presence of certain medical conditions like alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, prior seizures and head injuries and central nervous system tumors. This holds true for persons, who have used diabetes medications, antidepressants, steroids, theophylline and over-the-counter diet pills and for the cocaine and narcotic addicts. A dose adjustment is necessary for persons with kidney or liver conditions.

Zyban Missed Dose

Missed doses should be skipped if the next scheduled dose is already due. But extra amounts should not be taken to "catch up" for the missed doses.

Zyban Side Effects

Mild side effects have been noted with the use of Zyban and these include sleeplessness and dry mouth. But the symptoms normally disappear after a few weeks. To address the problem of sleeplessness, one should avoid Zyban intake during bedtime and he might ask his doctor for a dose reduction.

Zyban Storage

Tightly closed container, kept at room temperature should be used to store Zyban. The medication should be kept away from direct sunlight.

Zyban Overdose

Not much is known about a Zyban overdose. Some commonly observed overdose symptoms include grogginess, sluggishness, nausea, seizures, confusion, jitteriness, blurred vision, light- headedness and visual hallucinations.

Zyban More Information

The effects of Zyban have not been determined in expecting mothers. Women who plan to become pregnant should try to quit smoking before they finally decide to go for drug therapy. One should avoid taking nicotine in any form for the unborn baby’s sake. Zyban passes into mother’s milk and so it can harm a nursing baby. It is up to the doctor to decide whether it is better quit the medication or to discontinue breastfeeding. Seizures caused by Zyban have a greater probability of occurrence in people with anorexia or bulimia or those who are facing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers.