For people
taking
bupropion (Zyban)
to stop
smoking:
Some
people have
reported
symptoms
such as
changes in
behavior,
hostility,
agitation,
depressed
mood, and
suicidal
thoughts
(thinking
about
harming or
killing
oneself or
planning or
trying to do
so) while
taking
bupropion
to stop
smoking. The
role of
bupropion in
causing
these mood
changes is
unclear
since people
who quit
smoking with
or without
medication
may
experience
changes in
their mental
health due
to nicotine
withdrawal.
However,
some of
these
symptoms
occurred in
people who
were taking
bupropion
and
continued to
smoke. Some
people had
these
symptoms
when they
began taking
bupropion,
and others
developed
them after
several
weeks of
treatment or
after
stopping
bupropion.
These
symptoms
have
occurred in
people
without a
history of
mental
illness and
have
worsened in
people who
already had
a mental
illness.
Tell your
doctor if
you have or
have ever
had
depression,
bipolar
disorder
(mood that
changes from
depressed to
abnormally
excited),
schizophrenia
(a mental
illness that
causes
disturbed or
unusual
thinking,
loss of
interest in
life, and
strong or
inappropriate
emotions),
or other
mental
illnesses.
If you
experience
any of the
following
symptoms,
stop taking
bupropion (Zyban)
and call
your doctor
immediately:
suicidal
thoughts or
actions; new
or worsening
depression,
anxiety, or
panic
attacks;
agitation;
restlessness;
angry or
violent
behavior;
acting
dangerously;
mania
(frenzied,
abnormally
excited or
irritated
mood);
abnormal
thoughts or
sensations;
hallucinations
(seeing
things or
hearing
voices that
do not
exist);
feeling that
people are
against you;
feeling
confused; or
any other
sudden or
unusual
changes in
behavior.
Be sure
that your
family or
caregiver
knows which
symptoms may
be serious
so they can
call the
doctor if
you are
unable to
seek
treatment on
your own.
Your doctor
will monitor
you closely
until your
symptoms get
better.
For people
taking
bupropion (Wellbutrin)
for
depression:
A small
number of
children,
teenagers,
and young
adults (up
to 24 years
of age) who
took
antidepressants
('mood
elevators')
such as
bupropion
during
clinical
studies
became
suicidal
(thinking
about
harming or
killing
oneself or
planning or
trying to do
so).
Children,
teenagers,
and young
adults who
take
antidepressants
to treat
depression
or other
mental
illnesses
may be more
likely to
become
suicidal
than
children,
teenagers,
and young
adults who
do not take
antidepressants
to treat
these
conditions.
However,
experts are
not sure
about how
great this
risk is and
how much it
should be
considered
in deciding
whether a
child or
teenager
should take
an
antidepressant.
Children
younger than
18 years of
age should
not normally
take
bupropion,
but in some
cases, a
doctor may
decide that
bupropion is
the best
medication
to treat a
child's
condition.
No matter
what your
age, before
you take an
antidepressant,
you, your
parent, or
your
caregiver
should talk
to your
doctor about
the risks
and benefits
of treating
your
condition
with an
antidepressant
or with
other
treatments.
You should
also talk
about the
risks and
benefits of
not treating
your
condition.
You should
know that
having
depression
or another
mental
illness
greatly
increases
the risk
that you
will become
suicidal,
especially
at the
beginning of
your
treatment or
any time
that your
dose is
increased or
decreased.
This risk is
higher if
you or
anyone in
your family
has or has
ever had
bipolar
disorder or
mania or has
thought
about or
attempted
suicide.
Talk to your
doctor about
your
condition,
symptoms,
and personal
and family
medical
history. You
and your
doctor will
decide what
type of
treatment is
right for
you.
You should
know that
your mental
health may
change in
unexpected
ways when
you take
bupropion or
other
antidepressants
even if you
are an adult
over age 24
or if you do
not have a
mental
illness and
you are
taking
bupropion to
treat a
different
type of
condition.
You may
become
suicidal,
especially
at the
beginning of
your
treatment
and any time
that your
dose is
increased or
decreased.
You, your
family, or
your
caregiver
should call
your doctor
right away
if you
experience
any of the
following
symptoms:
new or
worsening
depression;
thinking
about
harming or
killing
yourself, or
planning or
trying to do
so; extreme
worry;
agitation;
panic
attacks;
difficulty
falling
asleep or
staying
asleep;
aggressive
behavior;
irritability;
acting
without
thinking;
severe
restlessness;
and frenzied
abnormal
excitement.
Be sure that
your family
or caregiver
knows which
symptoms may
be serious
so they can
call the
doctor if
you are
unable to
seek
treatment on
your own.
For all
patients
taking
bupropion:
Your
healthcare
provider
will want to
see you
often while
you are
taking
bupropion,
especially
at the
beginning of
your
treatment.
Be sure to
keep all
appointments
or office
visits with
your doctor.
Your doctor
or
pharmacist
will give
you the
manufacturer's
patient
information
sheet
(Medication
Guide) when
you begin
treatment
with
bupropion
and each
time you
refill your
prescription.
Read the
information
carefully
and ask your
doctor or
pharmacist
if you have
any
questions.
You also can
visit the
Food and
Drug
Administration
(FDA)
website:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm
or the
manufacturer's
website to
obtain the
Medication
Guide.
Talk to your
doctor about
the risks
and benefits
of taking
bupropion.
