Bupropion (Oral Route)

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Proper Use

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.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Swallow the sustained-release tablets whole. Do not break, crush, divide, or chew it.

You may take this medicine with or without food. But, if you have nausea, take this medicine with food.

To lessen stomach upset, this medicine may be taken with food, unless your doctor has told you to take it on an empty stomach.

If you are taking Zyban® tablets to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start using this medicine. Then, you should set a target date to quit smoking during your second week of Zyban® treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble to stop smoking after you have used this medicine for at least 7 weeks.

Do not smoke if you are using a nicotine patch or any other medicine containing nicotine together with Zyban® tablets. To do so, may increase risk for more serious side effects.

This medicine must be taken for several weeks, usually 4 weeks, before you start to feel better. You will probably need to keep taking bupropion for several months to help prevent the return of your depression. Your doctor will check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine.

If you have trouble with sleeping (insomnia), do not take this medicine too close to bedtime.

For patients taking the extended-release tablet form of this medicine:

• Take doses at least 24 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures.
• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew them.
• While taking this medicine, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.
• If you use this medicine to prevent depression in seasonal affective disorder, take it during the autumn season before your symptoms start. Continue using this medicine through the winter season and until early spring.

To help you remember to use your medicine, take it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine 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 using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  • For depression:
    • Adults—
      • Aplenzin™: At first, 174 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 522 mg per day.
      • Forfivo XL®: 450 mg once a day.
      • Wellbutrin XL®: At first, 150 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose usually is not more than 450 mg once a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For seasonal affective disorder:
    • 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 300 mg once a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For depression:
    • Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg three times a day. Take doses at least 4 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (sustained-release tablets):
  • For 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. Take doses at least 8 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • To help you stop smoking:
    • Adults—At first, 150 milligrams (mg) once a day for the first 3 days. Then, your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 300 mg per day. Take doses at least 8 hours apart to decrease the chance of seizures.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking the extended-release tablets and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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