bupropion: What is, what is used for, dose, side effects, brands

BUPROPION

Indications and usage
Before taking
How to use
While taking
Side effects
Brands

List of brands containing bupropion

This page contains list of brands of authorized pharmaceutical specialties of the active principle bupropion in the countries listed below:

[ Australia] [ Brazil] [ Canada] [ France] [ Germany] [ India] [ Italy] [ Japan] [ Mexico] [ Pakistan] [ Puerto Rico] [ Spain] [ Turkey] [ United Kingdom] [ U.S.A]

Given the nature of the pharmaceutical market, some specialties may be unavailable, have been removed from the pharmaceutical market or have changed its name. So that, in no case can take decisions based on the information contained in the page. MEDIZZINE is not responsible for any damage arising from the information provided, which may be incomplete or outdated.

Indications and usage ▲

The specialties containing bupropion have been approved for treatment of tobacco dependence together with behavioral therapy for motivate to quit it.

This medicine is also approved in many countries for the treatment of depression.

Bupropion has an antidepressant effect, chemically related to phenylethylamines, a group of molecules with properties such as antidepressant, psychostimulant and appetite depressant (venlafaxine, amphetamine, fenproporex, fenfluramine, amfepramone, etc).

In the case of tobacco dependence, the risks inherent to the use of bupropion compels to consider its use only after a test with other measures, including nicotine patches, less effective, but with minor inconveniences.

Medizzine recommends consulting your doctor if you are unsure (or you do not know) why you have been given bupropion.

Other ingredients of available commercial presentations:

Each tablet contains microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol 400, titanium dioxide, carnauba wax, and black iron oxide.

Warning:

The composition of the various presentations may vary from one country to another. We recommend you consult the information provided by your local supplier.

Do not use bupropion

If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance bupropion or any of the other ingredients of the medicinal product prescribed to you. If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor.

Allergy symptoms may include:

- Asthma attacks with shortness of breath, audible wheezing or rapid breathing.
- More or less sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or elsewhere in the body. It is especially critical if it affects the vocal cords.
- Hives, itching, rash
- Anaphylactic shock (loss of consciousness, paleness, sweating, etc.).

Nor should take bupropion:

Bupropion is formally contraindicated if you suffer seizures. If you have suffered previously a seizure, consult your doctor. The risk of seizure following administration of the highest recommended dose of bupropion may be 1 in 1000 patients.

Some clinical conditions predisposing to seizures, such as diabetes (risk of hypoglycemia or "low blood glucose"), administration of theophylline derivatives, alcoholism in the phase of detoxification or being under gradual withdrawal of tranquilizers and drugs for insomnia. Simultaneous use of other drugs such as steroids by mouth or injection, antihistamines and chemically related drugs with bupropion (phenylethylamines) can also favor the onset of seizures. Consult your doctor if you are in any of these cases.

If you have previously taken antidepressants, tell your doctor before you start taking bupropion. In some cases, it should be allowed to elapse two weeks before starting treatment. In other cases is contraindicated (bipolar disorder).

If the treatment plan includes the joint use of nicotine patches and bupropion, blood pressure should be closely monitored due to the risk of a sudden and unexpected increase of this .

Safety and efficacy of bupropion in children and adolescents has not been well established, so it is not recommended before age 18 years.

Take special care with bupropion

When taking this medicine, you should not exceed the dose recommended by the doctor; this is important to avoid the risk of occurring seizures. If you have seizures during treatment with this medicine, stop taking bupropion and do not restart it again.

Can increase the risk of seizures if:

- If you drink too much alcohol; try to reduce consumption to a minimum or avoid it altogether.
- If you have had in the past a head injury.
- If you have diabetes and are taking diabetes medications (oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin).
- If you are taking nervous system stimulants or products to reduce appetite.
- You are taking other medicines that lower the seizure threshold (eg antipsychotics, antimalarials, antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, etc.).
- If you have had a mental illness, since may appear adverse psychiatric effects.
- The joint use of bupropion with alcohol may reduce alcohol tolerance or cause psychiatric disorders.
- If you notice that your blood pressure increases too much, talk to your doctor.
- If you have a liver or kidney disease, it is more likely you suffer adverse effects. The recommended dose in these patients is 150 mg once a day.

If any of these situations is applicable to you or you are not sure, tell your doctor before taking this medicine.

Urinalysis results:

Bupropion may interfere with some urine analysis (eg, to detect other drugs). If you need a urine analysis, tell your doctor that you are taking this drug.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including herbal products or drugs obtained without a prescription.

Your doctor should know that you take some of the medicines listed below and assess whether it is advisable its joint use:

- Carbamazepine,
- Cimetidine
- Codeíne,
- Desipramine,
- Dextromethorphan,
- Encainide
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin,
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine,
- Fluvoxamine,
- Haloperidol
- Imipramine
- Levodopa
- Lidocaine
- Metoprolol
- Mexiletine
- Nortriptyline
- Ondansetron
- Paroxetine
- Propafenone
- Propranolol
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Sertraline/a>
- Tamoxifen
- Thioridazine
- Tramadol
- Venlafaxine

If in doubt about if you are taking any of these substances, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Previous situation of the patient that makes not be advisable the use of bupropion:

Hepatic or renal impairment and elderly.

Important (if you are taking other drugs):

The dose of some medicines may need to be reduced when you stop smoking since tobacco smoke is an enzymatic inductor of metabolism of these drugs. That means, increase its speed of removal.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medicine only for you. Never give it to someone else.

Use with food and beverages

You can be more sensitive to alcohol while taking bupropion. It is highly advisable stop the intake of alcohol while you are taking this medicine..

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Special physiological situations

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine during pregnancy or lactation.

Pregnancy and lactation

Bupropion should not be used during pregnancy.Bupropion is not recommended during breastfeeding.

Children

It is not recommended in patients under 18 years of age.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive nor operate any tools or machines until you know if bupropion affects your ability to perform these activities.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

How to use bupropion ▲

Follow carefully the instructions of use of bupropion provided by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist when in doubt. Follow the instructions of the physician in preference to those given in this website, that may be different. Ask your doctor to explain any aspect that you do not understand, contained in the instruction leaflet that comes with the medicine.

Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with this medicine. Do not stop treatment before.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not crush, split or chews.

The use of bupropion along with nicotine patches will be made only under the supervision of your doctor.

Adults:

The usual dose in adults over 18 years is one tablet (150 mg) a day for six days.

From the seventh day, the dose should be increased to one tablet (150 mg) twice a day; in this case, leave an interval of at least 8 hours between tablets. You should never take two tablets together not exceed the recommended total daily dose.

It should elapse about 1 week to reach appropriate and effective levels of bupropion in your body.

During the first week of treatment with bupropion, you should not quit, thus will increase the chance of successful treatment to stop smoking. You should set a date to stop smoking during the second week you are taking this medicine.

It is not unsafe to smoke and take the medicine at the same time. However, if you continue smoking after the date fixed to stop smoking will reduce significantly the chance to break your smoking habit.

Most people should take bupropion at least seven weeks.

Elderly:

The recommended dose is one tablet (150 mg) once daily.

If you think that the effect of the medicine is too strong or too weak, consult your doctor.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

While you take bupropion ▲

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

If a doctor prescribes another medicine , tell you are taking bupropion.

Check with your doctor regularly developments of disorder that motivates the use of bupropion. Maybe there is some reason that prevented you properly receive the indicated doses and induce your doctor to erroneous conclusions about treatment.

Do not restart treatment with bupropion at your own risk without first talking to your doctor, nor encourage its use by another person, even if have the same symptoms you have. Nor is it advisable to interrupt or reduce the dose without considering the opinion of your doctor.

If you feel unwell during treatment with bupropion, immediately consult your doctor.

If you use more medicine than you should

If you have taken more bupropion than you should, consult immediately your doctor or pharmacist.

In the case of overdose or accidental ingestion consult the Poison Control Center in your country.

If you forget a dose:

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses. Wait and take the next tablet when appropriate.

If you stop taking bupropion:

You should not stop treatment abruptly. The doctor will tell you whether you should make a gradual suspension of bupropion.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects of bupropion ▲

Like all medicines, bupropion can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The frequency of side effects is classified into:

Very common: affect 1 out of 1-10 patients
Common: affect 1 out of 10-100 patients
Uncommon: affect 1 out of 100-1.000 patients
Rare: affect 1 out of 1.000-10.000 patients
Very Rare: affect less than 1 in 10,000 patients
Incidence not known: Can not be established the true incidence from the available data

Bupropion is a medicine with frequent and varied side effects, and its incidence is greater the higher the dose. It is likely that 8% of patients taking the recommended maximum dose have to discontinue treatment due to nervous disorders, tremor or skin problems. Prominent among the adverse reactions by its frequency dry mouth and insomnia. For its gravity, seizures.

Common side effects: (At least 5% of patients at doses of 300 mg daily)

- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation, Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Vertigo
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Tremor,
- Sweating
- Rash
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Muscle or joint pain

Cardiac disorders:

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): Acceleration of the heartbeat (tachycardia), increased blood pressure (sometimes severe), flushing.

Rare side effects (affect al least 1 in 10.000 patients): dilation of blood vessels, decreased blood pressure when standing, fainting (syncope), palpitations.

Nervous system disorders:

Very common side effects (affect at least 1 in 10 patients): Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).

Common side effects (affect at least 1 in 100 patients): tremor, impaired ability to concentrate, headache, dizziness, depression, agitation, anxiety.

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): confusion.

Rare side effects (affect at least 1 in 10.000 patients): seizures, irritability, hostility, tiredness, aggressiveness or paranoid ideas, hallucinations, delirium, loss of personal identity, muscular alteration of nervous origin (dystonia), uncoordinated movements (ataxia), Parkinson's disease, spasmodic movements, sleep disturbance, memory failure, general loss of sensitivity.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders:

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): Lack of appetite (anorexia).

Rare side effects (affect at least 1 in 10.000 patients): altered level of blood sugar.

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Common side effects (affect at least 1 in 100 patients): Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and constipation.

General disorders:

Common side effects (affect at least 1 in 100 patients): fever, disturbances in taste.

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): chest pain, weakness, tiredness.

Renal and urinary disorders:

Rare side effects (affect at least 1 in 10.000 patients): increased urination or urinary retention.

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Rare side effects (affect at least 1 in 10.000 patients): increased values in liver function tests, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), hepatitis.

Disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue:

Common side effects (affect at least 1 in 100 patients): skin eruptions (rash, urticaria), itching, sweating.

Rare side effects (affect at least 1 in 10.000 patients): angioedema, difficulty breathing, contraction of the bronchi (bronchospasm) and exaggerated and serious allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock), joint pain, muscle pain, fever, skin redness (erythema, which may be severe) and worsening of psoriasis.

Disorders of the ear and labyrinth:

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): noises in the ears (tinnitus).

Eye disorders:

Uncommon side effects (affect at least 1 in 1.000 patients): visual disturbance.

If you notice any side effects not listed in this website or in the leaflet accompanying the package, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If any of the side effects gets serious, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

List of brands containing bupropion ▲

This page contains list of brands of authorized pharmaceutical specialties of the active principle bupropion in the countries listed below:

[ Australia] [ Brazil] [ Canada] [ France] [ Germany] [ India] [ Italy] [ Japan] [ Mexico] [ Pakistan] [ Puerto Rico] [ Spain] [ Turkey] [ United Kingdom] [ U.S.A]

Warning:

With exceptions expressly indicated, these lists do not include active principle associations with other drugs or clinical use containers.

Australia: ▲

PREXATON 150 mg, modified release tablets
ZYBAN SR 150 mg, extended release tablets

Brazil: ▲

BUP 150 mg, 12, 15, 30 & 60 tablets
BUPROPIONA EMS 150 mg, 10, 12, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets
BUPROPIONA GERMED 150 mg, 10, 12, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets
BUPROPIONA LEGRAND 150 mg, 10, 12, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets
BUPROPIONA NOVA QUIMICA 150 mg, 10, 12, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets
ZETRON 150 mg, 10, 15, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg, 30 & 60 sustained release tablets

Canada: ▲

AVA-BUPROPION SR 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
AVA-BUPROPION SR 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION PRO DOC SR 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION PRO DOC SR 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
NOVO-BUPROPION SR 150 mg, 30 & 60 extended release tablets
PMS-BUPROPION SR 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
PMS-BUPROPION SR 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
RATIO-BUPROPION SR 100 mg, 30 & 60 extended release tablets
RATIO-BUPROPION SR 150 mg, 30 & 60 extended release tablets
SANDOZ BUPROPION SR 100 mg, 30, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
SANDOZ BUPROPION SR 150 mg, 30, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN SR 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN XL 150 mg, 90 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN XL 300 mg, 90 extended release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg, 100 extended release tablets

France: ▲

ZYBAN L.P. 150 mg, extended release tablets

Germany: ▲

ELONTRIL 150 mg, modified release tablets
ELONTRIL 300 mg, modified release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg extended release tablets

India: ▲

BUPDEP 150 mg, tablets
BUPEP 150 mg, extended release tablets
BUPISURE 150 mg, tablets
BUPRON-SR 150 mg, extended release tablets
BUPRON-XL 150 mg, sustained release tablets
BUPRON-XL 300 mg, sustained release tablets
ESSION-ER 150 mg, extended release tablets
NICOTEX 150 mg, tablets
SMOQUIT-SR 150 mg, extended release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg extended release tablets

Italy: ▲

ELONTRIL 150 mg, modified release tablets
ELONTRIL 300 mg, modified release tablets
WELLBUTRIN 150 mg, modified release tablets
WELLBUTRIN 300 mg, modified release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg extended release tablets

Japan: ▲

N/A

Mexico: ▲

BUTREW 100 mg, 10, 20 & 40 dragees
BUTREW 150 mg, 10, 20 & 40 dragees
BUTREW 225 mg, 10, 20 & 40 dragees
WELLBUTRIN 150 mg, 15 & 30 tablets

Pakistan: ▲

ANZEE SR 150 mg, tablets
BURTIN 75 mg, tablets
BURTIN XL 150 mg, sustained release tablets
BURTIN XL 300 mg, sustained release tablets
DEPRION SR 150 mg, extended release tablets
QOBY SR 75 mg, tablets
WELLBUTRIN-XL 150 mg, sustained release tablets
WELLBUTRIN-XL 300 mg,sustained release tablets
XASLEXX SR 75 mg, extended release tablets
XASLEXX SR 150 mg, extended release tablets
ZION 150 mg, tablets
ZYLEXX SR 150 mg, extended release tablets

Spain: ▲

ELONTRIL 150 mg, 30 modified release tablets
ELONTRIL 300 mg, 30 modified release tablets
ZYNTABAC 150 mg, 30, 60 & 100 modified release tablets

Turkey: ▲

WELLBUTRIN XL 150 mg, sustained release tablets
WELLBUTRIN XL 300 mg, sustained release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg, modified release tablets

United Kingdom: ▲

ZYBAN 150 mg, modified release tablets

U.S.A. and Puerto Rico: ▲

APLENZIN 174 mg, 30 extended release tablets
APLENZIN 348 mg, 30 extended release tablets
APLENZIN 522 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION CONTRACT PHARMA S 75 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION CONTRACT PHARMA S 100 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION KAISER FOUND 75 mg, extended release tablets
BUPROPION MAJOR 75 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION MCKESSON PACK 75 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION MCKESSON PACK 100 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION MYLAN 75 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION MYLAN 100 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION NCS HEALTHCARE of KY 75 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION NCS HEALTHCARE of KY 100 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 75 mg, 60 tablets
BUPROPION PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 100 mg, 30, 60, 90 & 100 tablets
BUPROPION SANDOZ 75 mg, 30 & 100 tablets
BUPROPION SANDOZ 100 mg, 30 & 100 tablets
BUPROPION STAT FLORIDA DOH C PHARM 75 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION STAT FLORIDA DOH C PHARM 100 mg, 30 tablets
BUPROPION TEVA 75 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION TEVA 100 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION UDL 75 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION UDL 100 mg, 100 tablets
BUPROPION SR ACTAVIS 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR IMPAX 200 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR MYLAN 100 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR MYLAN 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR MYLAN 200 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 100 mg, 30 & 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 150 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR PD-RX PHARMA 150 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR QUALITY CARE 100 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR QUALITY CARE 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR QUALITY CARE 200 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR REBEL 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR REBEL 200 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SANDOZ 100 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SANDOZ 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SANDOZ 200 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR STAT RX USA LLC 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR STAT RX USA LLC 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR STAT RX USA LLC 200 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SUN PHARMA 100 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SUN PHARMA 150 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR SUN PHARMA 200 mg, 60 & 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR UDL 100 mg, 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR UDL 150 mg, 100 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR WATSON 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR WATSON 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION SR WATSON 200 mg, 60 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL ACTAVIS 150 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL ACTAVIS 300 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL ANCHEN 150 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL ANCHEN 300 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL KAISER FOUND 100 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL MYLAN 150 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL MYLAN 300 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL NCS HEALTHCARE of KY 100 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL NCS HEALTHCARE of KY 150 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 150 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL PHYSICIANS TOTAL CARE 300 mg, 30, 60 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL REBEL 150 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL REBEL 300 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL WATSON 150 mg, 30 extended release tablets
BUPROPION XL WATSON 300 mg, 30 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN 75 mg, 100 tablets
WELLBUTRIN 100 mg, 100 tablets
WELLBUTRIN SR 100 mg, 60 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN SR 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN SR 200 mg, 60 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN XL 150 mg, 30 & 90 extended release tablets
WELLBUTRIN XL 300 mg, 30 extended release tablets
ZYBAN 150 mg, 60 extended release tablets

Page updated: December 11, 2010.