Both Wellbutrin and Zyban are the brand of drugs containing the same active ingredient, which is Bupropion. Bupropion can be used as an antidepressant and as an aid to quit smoking.

As an antidepressant, it is sold under the brand name Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. It is used to treat major depression and seasonal affective disorder or SAD, as well as certain other conditions. No one really understands how it works, but its beneficial effects are due to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and to a much lesser extent, serotonin, which causes an increase of these chemicals in the brain . These chemicals have an impact on our moods and increased levels of these neurotransmitters, it is possible to relieve the symptoms of depression.

As smoking cessation aid under the name Zyban, it appears to work by reducing nicotine cravings and symptoms of nicotine. It also helps to prevent weight gain unwanted, that often accompanies quitting. One thing to remember when taking Zyban is that it is important to take it earlier in the day to help prevent insomnia at night and both doses are taken, we must take eight hours after the first for the first should be taken in the morning.

As with all medicines, there are some factors to consider before taking Bupropion, including possible side effects and against indications, which may have an impact if it is an appropriate treatment for you or not.

Bupropion

If you are prescribed Zyban or Wellbutrin, it is essential that you inform your doctor of any medication you take as there are a number of other drugs and substances that may interact with bupropion, and that includes prescription drugs , herbal remedies, vitamins and over against cough preparations such as medicines etc.

You must also inform your doctor if you drink much alcohol, coffee or other drinks containing caffeine if you smoke or use illicit drugs, if you are taking sedatives or MAOIs (monoamine inhibitors oxidase), or any other medicines containing bupropion, and if you have a medical complaint. In particular, the physician should be fully aware, if you suffer or have suffered from one of the following conditions that Bupropion May not be appropriate or May only be appropriate at a reduced dose:

• epilepsy

• Eating disorders

• Brain Tumor

• Kidney failure

• hepatic

• alcoholism

• A head injury or trauma

• Insomnia

• An allergic reaction to Bupropion

• Diabetes

• suicidal thoughts

• Tourettes Syndrome

• Heart disease

You must also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or currently trying to conceive or if you are breast-feeding or if you are due to undergo surgery or other treatment in the near future.

Side effects

Some side effects are more frequent than others and there are some that are more serious than others. Side effects associated with Bupropion may include:

• Dry mouth

• Changes in taste

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Tremor

• Agitation

• Dizziness

• Increased perspiration

• Weight loss

• Mania, hallucinations

• Seizures

• Irritability

• Depression

• Anxiety

• irregular heartbeat or palpitations

• Chest pain

• Abdominal pain

• Rash and eczema, urticaria

• increased blood pressure

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing

• Confusion

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

• Loss of interest in sex

• swelling of the face, tongue and throat

You should inform your doctor immediately if you have big changes in mood or behavior, especially if you feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts, and if you feel too agitated, hostile, anxious or hyperactive, and if you having trouble sleeping.

You must also obtain emergency medical care if you have trouble breathing, if your face, tongue and throat began to swell, if you have a convulsion if you experience rapid heartbeat or irregular or if you develop hives or severe skin eruptions.

Other important points

Wellbutrin and Zyban Both should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This means that you should not increase or decrease the dose unless your doctor tells you to do so, especially, do not suddenly stop taking the drug because it can have serious side effects. If you forget to take an hour, take it as soon as you remember again, unless it is almost time for you to take the next dose, if so, just take the next dose as usual and not taking the penalty that you forgot.

It is important to note that drinking lots of alcohol and other drugs taken once you start taking bupropion may increase the risk of seizures and other side effects, such as the launch or the sudden alcohol and other drugs, including Bupropion stop it, it is not advisable to make any changes whatsoever, without first seeking medical advice.

Both Zyban and Wellbutrin are brand name prescription drugs that contain the same active ingredient, which is Bupropion. Bupropion can be used both as an antidepressant, and as an aid to giving up smoking.

As an antidepressant, it is sold under the brand names Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL. It is used to treat major depression and also seasonal affective disorder or SAD as well as some other conditions. No one really understands exactly how it works, but its beneficial effects are due to its ability to inhibit the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and to a much lesser extent, serotonin, which results in an increase of these chemicals in the brain. These chemicals have an impact on our moods and so by increasing the levels of these important neurotransmitters, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms of depression.

As a smoking cessation aid under the brand name Zyban, it appears to work by reducing nicotine cravings and the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It also helps to prevent the unwanted weight gain which often accompanies stopping smoking. One thing to remember when taking Zyban is that it is important to take it earlier in the day to help prevent insomnia at night and if two doses are taken one must be taken eight hours after the first so the first one should be taken on waking.

As with all medications there are certain factors to be considered before taking Bupropion, particularly any potential side effects and contraindications, which can have an impact on whether it is an appropriate treatment for you or not.

Bupropion

If you are prescribed Wellbutrin or Zyban it is essential that you tell your doctor about any other medications that you are taking as there are a number of other drugs and substances that can interact with Bupropion and this includes prescription drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and over the counter preparations like cough medicines etc.

You should also tell your doctor if you drink a lot of alcohol, coffee or other drinks containing caffeine, if you smoke or use illegal drugs, if you are taking sedatives, or MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), or any other drug containing Bupropion, and if you suffer from any medical complaint. In particular your doctor should be fully aware if you suffer or have ever suffered from any of the following conditions as Bupropion may not be suitable or may only be advisable at a reduced dose:

• Epilepsy

• Eating disorders

• Cerebral tumours

• Kidney failure

• Liver failure

• Alcoholism

• A head injury or trauma

• Insomnia

• An allergic reaction to Bupropion

• Diabetes

• Suicidal thoughts

• Tourettes syndrome

• Heart disease

You should also inform your doctor if you are currently pregnant or are trying to conceive or if you are breastfeeding or if you are due to undergo surgery or any other treatment in the near future.

Side effects

Some side effects are more common than others and there are some that are more serious than others. Side effects associated with Bupropion can include:

• Dry mouth

• Changes in taste

• Insomnia

• Headache

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Tremor

• Agitation

• Dizziness

• Increased sweating

• Weight loss

• Mania, hallucinations

• Seizures

• Irritability

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations

• Chest pain

• Abdominal pain

• Rash and eczema, hives

• Raised blood pressure

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing

• Confusion

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

• Loss of interest in sex

• Swelling of face, tongue and throat

You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any dramatic changes in mood or behaviour, particularly if you feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts and if you are feeling overly agitated, hostile, anxious or hyperactive, and if you are having any trouble sleeping.

You should also seek urgent medical attention if you have trouble breathing, if your face, tongue and throat start to swell, if you have a convulsion, if you experience rapid or irregular heartbeats or if you develop hives or severe skin eruptions.

Other important points

Both Zyban and Wellbutrin should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This means you mustn’t increase or decrease your dose unless your doctor tells you to; in particular, don’t suddenly stop taking the medication as this can have serious side effects. If you happen to forget to take one, take it as soon as you remember again unless it is nearly time for you to take the next dose, if this is the case then just take the next dose as normal, and don’t bother taking the one you forgot.

It is important to note that drinking a lot of alcohol and taking some other medications once you begin to take Bupropion can increase the risk of seizures and other side effects, as can starting or indeed abruptly stopping alcohol, and any other medications, including stopping to take Bupropion, so it isn’t advisable to make any changes whatsoever without first seeking medical advice.