Bupropion (Zyban) for Quitting Smoking

The Way It Works

Bupropion is a pill that you take to reduce your craving for tobacco. The way it does this isn't entirely known. Bupropion does not contain nicotine and doesn't help you quit smoking in precisely the same manner that nicotine replacement therapy does. However, like other medicines, it decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors also prescribe bupropion (below the brand name Wellbutrin) to deal with depression. But bupropion's capability to help individuals quit smoking isn't related to its antidepressant activity. It can help you stop smoking even if you don't have depression.You begin taking bupropion every day, 1 to 2 weeks before you stop smoking.

This builds up the level of medicine in your body. You simply take bupropion for 7 to 12 weeks after you stop using tobacco. You can take it as long as 6 weeks to a year.

Why It Is Used

Bupropion is approved for use in people who smoke 10 or more

Cigarettes each day and are at least 18 years of age. Read about smoking cessation: Bupropion Story. Doctors prescribe it to

help people when they stop smoking.

You should not take bupropion if you:Happen to be taking other medications that contain bupropion (like Wellbutrin). Have a health illness that makes you prone to seizures. Are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Have an eating disorder. Have an alcohol use issue.

How Well It Works

Bupropion works just as well as nicotine replacement

therapies (NRTs). Using bupropion together with nicotine replacement

therapy (such as nicotine patches, gum, or inhaler) can increase your probability of succeeding.

Taken as directed, bupropion reduces:Craving. Irritability, restlessness, anxiety. Difficulty concentrating. Feelings of depression or hopelessness.

Side Effects

Common side effects include:

Dry mouth, affecting 1 out of 10 individuals who use bupropion. Difficulty sleeping (insomnia). Should you take a morning and evening dose, then taking the day dose in the afternoon may help with sleep issues. Take the evening dose at least 8 hours after the morning dose.

In over 70 from 100 individuals who use bupropion, the above side effects go away within about a week after they quit taking the medicine. Only about 10 out of 100 people have to stop taking bupropion because of unwanted effects.