Examples

How It Works

Bupropion is a pill you take to reduce your craving for tobacco. The way it does this is not entirely known. Bupropion does not contain nicotine and does not help you quit smoking in the same way that nicotine replacement therapy does. But like other medicines, it decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors also prescribe bupropion (under the brand name Wellbutrin) to treat depression. But bupropion's ability to help people quit smoking is not related to its antidepressant action. It can help you stop smoking even if you do not have depression.

You begin taking bupropion daily, 1 to 2 weeks before you quit smoking. This builds up the level of medicine in your body. You take bupropion for 7 to 12 weeks after you stop using tobacco. You can take it for as long as 6 months to a year.

Why It Is Used

Bupropion is approved for use in people who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day and are at least 18 years old. Doctors prescribe it to help people when they quit smoking.

You should not take bupropion if you:

• Are already taking other medicines that contain bupropion (such as Wellbutrin).
• Have seizures or a medical condition that makes you prone to seizures.
• Are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
• Have an eating disorder.
• Have an alcohol use problem.

How Well It Works

Bupropion works just as well as nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). Using bupropion along with nicotine replacement therapy (such as nicotine patches, gum, or inhaler) may increase your chances of success.

Taken as directed, bupropion reduces:

• Craving.
• Irritability, restlessness, anxiety.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feelings of unhappiness or depression.

Side Effects

Common side effects include:¹

• Dry mouth, affecting 1 out of 10 people who use bupropion.
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia), affecting 35 to 40 out of 100 of people. If you take a morning and evening dose, taking the evening dose in the afternoon may help with sleep problems. Take the evening dose at least 8 hours after the morning dose.

In over 70 out of 100 people who use bupropion, the above side effects go away within about a week after they stop taking the medicine. Only about 10 out of 100 people have to stop taking bupropion because of side effects.

Less common side effects (occurring in less than 10 out of 100 people) include:

• Dizziness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Upset stomach (nausea).
• Anxiety.
• Constipation.
• Tremors.
• Skin problems or rashes.

There is a small risk of having seizures when using bupropion. The risk increases if you have had seizures in the past before using bupropion.

FDA warning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people who are taking bupropion (Zyban) and who experience any serious or unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call a doctor right away.

Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and advise him or her to stop taking the drug and call a doctor right away.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Like other treatments, bupropion works best when it is part of a program that includes setting a quit date; having a plan for dealing with things that make you reach for a cigarette (smoking triggers); and getting support from a doctor, counselor, or support group.

Using bupropion along with nicotine replacement therapy (such as nicotine patches, gum, or inhaler) may work better than either therapy alone. Talk to your doctor before combining bupropion with nicotine replacement therapy.

Bupropion should not be used during pregnancy unless you and your doctor decide the benefits outweigh the risks and you are unable to quit smoking without using medicine. Talk with your doctor about whether you can use this medicine during pregnancy. Women should not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

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