What are bupropion extended-release tablets?
Bupropion (Wellbutrin® XL) is an antidepressant, a medicine that helps to lift mental depression. Bupropion acts differently from other antidepressants and may be useful for treating patients who have had unusual or limiting effects from other antidepressants. Occasionally bupropion is prescribed for other behavioral or emotional problems. Generic bupropion extended-release tablets are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I take bupropion?
Take bupropion extended-release tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew these tablets. Do not cut these tablets in half. It is important to take your doses at regular intervals; this medicine is taken once daily at the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber's advice.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next tablet at the regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with bupropion?
NOTE: Do not take bupropion with other medicines containing bupropion, like Zyban®?.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking bupropion?
What should I watch for while taking bupropion?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take bupropion for several days before you see the effects. If you have been taking bupropion for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber or health care professional may want you to gradually reduce the dose; ask for advice.
Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of bupropion treatment or after a change in dose, call your doctor.
Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks while taking bupropion. Drinking excessive alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medicines, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking bupropion may increase your risk for a seizure (convulsion).
You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how bupropion affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Bupropion can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Also do not take any herbal or non-prescription medicines for weight loss without your prescribers advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional well before your scheduled surgery that you are taking bupropion.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F), away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.