Zyban
Zyban is a sustained-release medication that is nicotine-free and is used to help one quit smoking. Zyban has already helped many smokers to quit smoking, even those who have smoked 20 years or more.
More information
ZYBAN (bupropion) is a round purple quit smoking pill film coated tablet with the engraving of Zyban 150mg on its surface. It is a sustained released tablet manufactured in only a single strength (150 milligrams).
AM I ADDICTED TO SMOKING?
You may be addicted to cigarettes if you experience one or more of the following signs :
# You continue to smoke despite the desire to quit smoking.
# You have made a serious, but unsuccessful, attempt to quit smoking or permanently reduce the amount you use.
# Your attempts to stop smoking have led to physical withdrawal symptoms, including a craving for tobacco, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, headaches, drowsiness, and stomach upset.
# You develop a “tolerance” for tobacco. Smoking the same number of cigarettes produces less effect over time, making it necessary to increase the number of cigarettes you smoke to achieve the desired sensation.
# You have continued to use tobacco even when you have a serious physical problem (such as heart or lung disease) that you know is worsened by tobacco.
SMOKING WITHDRAWL
When smokers who are addicted to cigarettes quit smoking, they may suffer from symptoms that can be psychological, emotional, or physical in nature. This is called withdrawal. They may experience irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, or depression.
HOW DOES ZYBAN TABLETS HELP TO STOP SMOKING?
The mechanism by which Zyban enhances the ability of patients to abstain from smoking is not totally known. It is presumed that it inhibits specific chemical receptors in the brain that mediate the craving for smoking.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS ZYBAN DRUG?
Clinical studies have shown that Zyban drug reduces the craving for cigarettes as well as withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation to a significant degree when compared with placebo. Reductions in the following withdrawal symptoms were most pronounced: irritability, frustration or anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness and depressed mood. In clinical studies it has been demonstrated that Zyban achieves the best results in diminishing the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine, significant reduction in craving for cigarettes and an elevated abstinence rate in the long term. In addition, your chances of quitting smoking with ZYBAN greatly depend on your commitment to quitting.
CAN I DO ANYTHING TO MAKE ZYBAN MORE EFFECTIVE?
Yes, ZYBAN drug while effective medication may work best if you are enrolled in a smoking cessation program or behavioral support program.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE ZYBAN?
# The usual recommended Zyban dosage is to take one 150-mg tablet in the morning for the first 3 days. On the fourth day, begin taking one 150-mg tablet in the morning and one Zyban 150mg tablet in the early evening. Doses should be taken at least 8 hours apart.
# Never take an “extra” dose of Zyban. If you forget to take a Zyban dose, do not take an extra Zyban tablet to “catch up” for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next tablet at the regular time. Do not take more tablets than prescribed. This is important so you do not increase your chance of having a seizure.
# It is important to swallow Zyban tablets whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush tablets. You may take ZYBAN with or without food.
HOW LONG DO I REMAIN ON ZYBAN?
For most patients, it is recommend that you stay on Zyban for at least 7 to 12 weeks to help support long-term effect of Zyban. It may be necessary to stay on Zyban for a longer period, depending upon the rapidity with which you withdraw from nicotine. 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 drug for at least 7 to 12 weeks but it may require up to 6 months of therapy if your dependence on nicotine is great.
WHEN SHOULD I STOP SMOKING WITH ZYBAN?
It takes about 1 week for Zyban medication to reach the right levels in your body to be effective. So, to maximize your chance of quitting, you should not stop smoking until you have been taking Zyban for 1 week. You should set a date to stop smoking during the second week you’re taking Zyban.
CAN I DRINK OR SMOKE WHILE TAKING ZYBAN?
It is best not to drink alcohol at all, or to drink very little, while taking Zyban. People who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly stop drinking, may increase their risk of developing a seizure.
It is not physically dangerous to smoke and use ZYBAN at the same time. However, continuing to smoke after the date you set to stop smoking will seriously reduce your chance of breaking the smoking habit.
CAN I TAKE ZYBAN IF I HAVE MILD-TO-MODERATE CHRONIC BRONCHITIS AND/OR EMPHYSEMA?
Yes, Zyban wellbutrin combined with a behavior modification program has been shown to help people with COPD quit smoking. It is important to participate in the behavior program, counseling, or other support program that is offered in your community.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL CONCERS OF ZYBAN FOR WOMEN?
Zyban wellbutrin is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Women should probably not begin a smoking cessation program with ZYBAN if they are breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL CONCERS FOR PATIENTS WITH LIVER OR KIDNEY PROBLEMS?
If you have liver or kidney problems, let your doctor know on your medical history/personal profile before taking ZYBAN quit smoking pills. Depending on the severity of your condition, the Zyban wellbutrin dosage may need to be adjusted.
CAN ZYBAN BE USED AT THE SAME TIME AS NICOTENE PATCHES?
Yes, Zyban and nicotine patches can be used at the same time but should only be used together under the supervision of your healthcare professional. Using ZYBAN and nicotine patches together may raise your blood pressure. Your healthcare professional will probably want to check your blood pressure regularly to make sure that it stays within acceptable levels. Do Not Smoke At Any Time if you are using the nicotine patch or any other nicotine product along with Zyban. It is possible to get too much nicotine and experience serious side effects.
CAN I SMOKE WHILE USING ZYBAN?
It is not physically dangerous to smoke and use Zyban at he same time. However, continuing to smoke after the date you set to stop smoking will seriously reduce your chances of breaking the smoking habit.
ZYBAN AND SLEEPING :
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.
ZYBAN AND SEIZURES:
There is an increased risk of developing a seizure when taking Zyban, although this risk is quite small. Nonetheless, it is important to let us know on your medical history/personal profile about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications that you are taking.
Zyban side effects:
The most common Zyban side effects are:
# dry mouth
# insomnia
# change in appetite
# agitation
# headaches
Rarely, bupropion can cause seizures, which is why people who have an existing seizure disorder should not take this drug. It is also important to carefully follow your doctor’s recommendations about dosage due to this risk.
Additionally, during clinical studies, the most common Zyban side effects which caused people to discontinue use of bupropion were shakiness and skin rash.
Zyban success stories:
Submitted by Kevin
Congratulations day 11 WOW keep it going as I know you will. Yes many have gone to quitnet but soon come back here to post to us or use both. Really pleased Zyban drug. It is doing it’s job for you and are now able to take one Zyban tablet per day and that is suiting you. I am up because I cannot sleep due to a very bad week, another family member passed away and buried in the last week. To top it all after all this time of never having one sickorette I had 9 in 3days or more. So back to it on Monday if doctor lets me.
I was on Zyban and had my last Zyban tablet on 29th January 2001. I was very lucky I had no Zyban side effects at all. Now my cessation nurse told me to leave it for a couple of weeks, before trying again but then they become more weeks, dont they? In fact Maureen I would really take it very slowly because when you come off Zyban you still feel great and very determined, just never ever let your guard down.
I have been very disgusted with myself after feeling like you do, after treatment.So take care.
Submitted by Ryan
I was on Zyban for only the 2 weeks before my quit smoking date. I have not smoked for three weeks and I am pretty much over my cravings. I get them occasionally when I get irritated at work or when I am drinking coffee with friends but I just grab a piece of gum and I am fine in a couple minutes.
It seems to me that the cravings I get now are more like I am playing a game with myself to see if I can hold out and I have. I have a coworker who quit with hypnotism and he said that hypnotism helped him with the mind games so you may want to consider that.
Submitted by Joe
I was on Zyban for 2 weeks and had no side effects from Zyban. Then all of the sudden I broke out severely in hives. I went to the emergency room twice. I am still taking steriods to control the hives. Beware of the Zyban side effects, but like the doctor told me “we can treat the hives, we can’t treat lung cancer”. The good news is that I am still not smoking, so in that respect the Zyban seems to have worked. I’m on my 4th day of taking zyban, The first 3 days were fine, but today I felt spaced out and light headed, (It felt like I’d blown up a ton of balloons) Anyways afterwards I decided to do.
some research online about zyban and all I found were tons of horror stories, Now I’m nervous to continue taking this Zyban.
