Bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban): Cessation from smoking

Common name - Bupropion hydrochloride

Trademark - Zyban

How it works

Bupropion is a pill you take to reduce the desire to smoke. It does not contain nicotine and its effect is significantly different from therapy with substitutes for a substance harmful to the body. Bupropion should be taken every day 1-2 weeks before quitting and continue to continue taking from 7 to 12 weeks.

Why it is used Bupropion is attributed to those who smoke 10 cigarettes a day, and who is already 18 years old.

You should not take it if you:

• you are already taking medications that contain bupropion (Wellbutrin)


• have a tendency to seizures;


• you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, MAOI;


• break the diet;


• You take alcohol.

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How effective is bupropion

Its use for 7-9 weeks doubles the likelihood that you will not smoke for at least 6 months. It acts in the same way as nicotine-replacement therapy. The joint use of bupropion and nicotine-containing patches or chewing gum doubles a person's chances of success in his desire to give up permanently from this bad habit.

Bupropion lowers:

• the desire to smoke;


• irritability, anxiety, anxiety;


• violation of concentration of attention;


• feeling depressed.

Side effects:

• dry mouth (observed in 1 out of 10 people who take bupropion);


• violation of sleep (35-40% of people). If you take a dose in the daytime and in the evening, it is possible, in case of sleep disturbance, to move the evening dose to the afternoon. In this case, take it 8 hours after the morning reception.

In 70% of people taking this medicine, side effects disappear within a week after discontinuation. And only 10% stop taking it because of side effects.

Side effects, which are observed only in 10% of people, include:

• dizziness;


• violation of concentration;


• upset stomach (nausea);


• anxiety;


• constipation;


• shiver;


• rashes on the skin.

There is a small risk of seizures. They can be observed in the event that a person tested them before taking this drug.

What you should know

The simultaneous use of bupropion and therapy with nicotine substitutes (nicotine patches or chewing gum) will be much more effective than individually. Be sure to consult with a doctor in this regard.

Bupropion can not be taken during pregnancy. Young mothers are forbidden to take the drug during the feeding of infants. Be sure to consult with a doctor in this regard.