Zyban

Zyban is used to assist people to stop smoking. The medication belongs to a class of drugs called antipressants. It functions to increase certain type of activities in the brain. The medication is also used to treat bipolar depression and attention deficit disorder. The medication can also be used for other purposes that are not listed above.

The medication is available as a tablet and a sustained-release tablet to take by mouth. If you are using regular tablets then you need to take it three times a day and gap between each dose should be at least 6 hours, while the extended-release tablet is taken once a day. You should take the medication at the same time daily. You should take help from the instructions on the label. If you cannot understand the instructions, then you should consult with your doctor. If you are using the extended-release tablet then swallow it and don’t try to chew it, because it is formulated to release the medication slowly in the stomach. If you chew it then the drug would be released at the same time.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Zyban or any other drugs. There are certain drugs which cannot be used with the Zyban. These drugs include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, phenelzine and tranylcypromine. Tell your doctor if you are using other prescription and nonprescription medications like vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products or amantadine, beta blockers like atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol and propranolol, medicines used for diabetes, medicines used for irregular heartbeat like flecainide and propafenone, medicines for seizures like carbamazepine etc. If anyone in your family have ever got depression, bipolar disorder or mania then inform your doctor.



If you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant then inform your doctor. It is not known whether it passes into milk of nursing mother or not, but if you are breast-feeding a baby then tell your doctor. The people who are using the medication should avoid the activities which require high alertness, because the medication causes drowsiness. You need to avoid alcohol, because it can make some of the side effects aggravated.

If you miss a dose then take it as soon as you remember and if the time is near to take next scheduled dose then skip the missed dose and follow your regular scheduled dose. Avoid taking double doses at the same time. If you experience any symptoms of overdose then get emergency medical help.

The common side effects of the medication are drowsiness, dry mouth, difficulty falling asleep, dizziness, excitement, restlessness, headache, tremor, weight loss, constipation, excessive sweating, and vomiting. If these side effects persist or become bothersome then contact with your doctor. There are some serious side effects. If they occur then you need to stop the medication and get emergency medical help. These include fever, confusion, seizure, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist, irrational fears, severe skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, muscle or joint pain, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeats.