bupropion

Introduction
bupropion is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of depression and smoking addiction. This medicine helps by increasing the level of chemical messengers in the brain that relax the nerves and have a calming effect on the brain. bupropion may be taken with or without food. It is advised to take this medicine at a fixed time each day. You should never skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly as it may worsen your symptoms. Some common side effects of this medicine include insomnia (difficulty sleeping), allergic reaction, impaired concentration, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. It even causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus. Moreover, most of the side effects are immediate and often go away with time. Please consult your doctor if these bother you or do not go away. Before taking this medicine it is important to inform your doctor if you have any history of seizure or if you drink alcohol. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or if you have any suicidal thoughts.

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Uses of bupropion
Depression
Smoking addiction
Side effects of bupropion
Common
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Allergic reaction
Impaired concentration
Sweating
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Dryness in mouth
Taste change
Abdominal pain
Agitation
Anxiety
Fever
Constipation
Tremor
How to use bupropion
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. bupropion may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How bupropion works
bupropion works in depression by increasing the levels of chemical messengers in the brain that helps in regulating mood. The mechanism underlying its use in smoking addiction are not fully understood.
What if you forget to take bupropion?
If you miss a dose of bupropion, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Bupron XL 150 Tablet for the treatment of depression.
It can also help you quit smoking.
Take it in the morning to avoid difficulty sleeping later that night.
It causes fewer side effects as compared to other anti-depression medications.
Stop taking Bupron XL 150 Tablet and inform your doctor if you notice sudden mood and behavior changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
Inform your doctor if you have a history of seizure disorder, eating disorder, or if you drink alcohol.
Brief Description
Indication
Depression, smoking cessation
Administration
Swallow extended/sustained-release tablets whole; do not chew, crush, or split; this may lead to adverse effects including seizures
Adult Dose
Oral Smoking cessation Adult: Modified-release preparation: Initially, 150 mg once daily for 6 days then increased to 150 mg bid. Period of treatment: 7-12 wk. To discontinue treatment if abstinence is not achieved by 7th wk. Max: 300 mg/day. Elderly: 150 mg/day. Hepatic impairment: Mild to moderate: 150 mg once daily. Severe hepatic cirrhosis: Contraindicated. Depression Adult: Initially, 100 mg bid increased to 100 mg tid after 3 days if necessary. Increased further to 150 mg tid if no improvement has been observed after several wk of therapy. Max: 150 mg tid. As a modified-release preparation: 150 mg once daily in the morning, increased to 150 mg bid after 3 days if necessary, may further increase to 200 mg bid after several wk if needed. Max: 450 mg as a single dose. Elderly: As immediate-release tab: Initially, 37.5 mg bid. As sustained-release tab: Initially, 100 mg daily. Dose may be increased by 37.5-100 mg every 3-4 days as tolerated. Max: 300 mg daily in divided doses. Hepatic impairment: Mild to moderate: Reduce dose or dosing frequency. Severe: As immediate-release preparation: Max: 75 mg once daily. As modified-release preparation: Max: 100 mg once daily or 150 mg every other day.

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Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Use caution; consider dose reduction
Contraindication
It is contraindicated in patients with a seizure disorder. Bupropion Hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients treated with other medications that contain Bupropion because the incidence of seizure is dose dependent. Bupropion may induce seizure and consequently its use is contraindicated in patients with epilepsy. The drug is also contraindicated in patients with a current or prior diagnosis of bulimia or anorexia nervosa because of a higher incidence of seizures noted in such patients treated for bulimia with Bupropion Hydrochloride. The concurrent administration of Bupropion Hydrochloride and a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor is contraindicated. At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of MAO inhibitor and initiation of treatment with Bupropion Hydrochloride. Bupropion Hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients who have shown an allergic response to Bupropion or the other ingredients that make up Bupropion Hydrochloride.

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Mode of Action
Bupropion HCl is a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine, serotinin and dopamine. The mechanism by which it aids in smoking cessation is presumed to be mediated by its noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic actions.
Precaution
It should be used with extreme caution, in patients with history of seizure disorders or in patients with other predisposing factors such as severe hepatic cirrhosis or a CNS tumour, and in those undergoing abrupt withdrawal from alcohol or Benzodiazepines. The use of Bupropion in patients with other risk factors for seizures (for example, alcohol abuse, a history of head trauma, diabetes, and drugs known to lower the seizure threshold) should only be undertaken when there are compelling clinical reasons. Bupropion should be used with caution in patients with bipolar depression or psychoses and in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease and in hepatic or renal impairment. Lactation: Enters breast milk; use caution

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Side Effect
>10% Headache (25-34%),Dry mouth (17-28%),Nausea (1-18%),Weight loss (15-20%),Insomnia (11-20%),Agitation (2-32%),Dizziness (6-22%),Pharyngitis (3-13%) 1-10% Constipation (5-10%),Infection (8-9%),Abdominal pain (2-9%),Anxiety (5-7%),Diarrhea (5-7%),Tinnitus (3-6%),Tremor (3-6%),Nervousness (3-5%),Anorexia (3-5%),Palpitation (2-6%),Myalgia (2-6%),Sweating (2-5%),Rash (1-5%),Sinusitis (1-5%),Weight gain (4%),Chest pain (3-4%),Urinary frequency (2%),Vaginal hemorrhage (2%),Pruritus (2-4%),Vomiting (2-4%),Arthralgia (1-4%),Flushing (1-4%),Migraine (1-4%),Decreased memory (<3%),Irritability (2-3%),Somnolence (2-3%),Dysphagia (<2%),Arthritis (2%),Paresthesia (1-2%),Fever (1-2%),Twitch (1-2%),Seizures (0.4% [<450 mg/day], >3% [>450 mg/day]; may be increased risk with concomitant ECT) Frequency Not Defined Confusion,Cystitis,Erythema,,Ataxia,Coma,EEG abnormality,Euphoria,Gastric reflux

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Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy Data from epidemiological studies of pregnant women exposed to bupropion in first trimester have not identified an increased risk of congenital malformations overall; there are risks to the mother associated with untreated depression in pregnancy A prospective, longitudinal study followed 201 pregnant women with a history of major depressive disorder who were euthymic and taking antidepressants during pregnancy at beginning of pregnancy; the women who discontinued antidepressants during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressants; consider risks to the mother of untreated depression and potential effects on tfetus when discontinuing or changing treatment with antidepressant medications during pregnancy and postpartum Lactation Data from published literature report presence of drug and its metabolites in human milk; there are no data on effects of bupropion or metabolites on milk production; limited data from postmarketing reports have not identified a clear association of adverse reactions in the breastfed infant; developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on breastfed child from therapy or from underlying maternal condition

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Interaction
Neuroleptics, lithium and TCAs, benzodiazepine, alcohol, drugs that lower seizure threshold. Increased risk of side effects when co-admin with levodopa. Reduced hepatic clearance with fluoxetine. Caution when administering with agents that will affect hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. Increased risk of toxicity when used with ritonavir. Potentially Fatal: Concurrent use with MAO inhibitors may cause acute toxicity symptoms and increased risk of fatality.

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