BUPROPION

Brand & Generic Names

Wellbutrin
AMFEBUTAMONE

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antidepressant

Uses

Relieves severe mental depression.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. May take with food to lessen stomach irritation.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Blocks dopamine uptake.

Time lapse before drug works:
4 to 6 weeks.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Confusion, agitation, seizures, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Seizures. Seek emergency treatment immediately.

Common:

Excitement, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, confusion, heartbeat irregularity, headaches.

Infrequent:

• Rash, blurred vision, drowsiness, chills, fever, hallucinations, fatigue, nightmares.

Rare:

Fainting, hostility.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
• You have had recent head injury.
• You have convulsions (seizures).
• You have a brain or spinal cord tumor.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have manic phases to your illness.
• If you abuse drugs.
• If you have liver, kidney or heart disease.

Over age 60:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child, but avoid if possible.

Breast-feeding:
Effect not documented. Consult your doctor.

Infants & children:
Effect not documented. Consult your doctor.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check kidney function, liver function and serum bupropion levels in blood.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME OR DRUG CLASS	COMBINED EFFECT
tricyclic (TCA)*	Increased risk of major seizures.
Cimetidine	Increased bupropion effect.
Clozapine	Increased risk of major seizures.
Fluoxetine	Increased risk of major seizures.
Haloperidol	Increased risk of major seizures.
Lithium	Increased risk of major seizures.
Loxapine	Increased risk of major seizures.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased risk of bupropion
	toxicity.
Molindone	Increased risk of major seizures.
Phenothiazines*	Increased risk of major seizures.
Thioxanthenes*	Increased risk of major seizures.
Trazodone	Increased risk of major seizures.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased risk of seizures. Avoid.
Coffee, tea, cocoa.	Increased side effects such as
	restlessness, insomnia.
Cocaine:	Increased risk of seizures. Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased risk of seizures. Avoid.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.