Quit Smoking // Zyban
Zyban is a prescription-only nicotine-free pill used to help the patient quit smoking.
How Zyban Is Used
Unlike other smoking cessation aids, Zyban is taken before you quit smoking. The patient
starts taking 2 pills of Zyban per day, and sets a quit date, usually two weeks later.
After quitting, the patient should usually keep taking Zyban for a few more weeks. Total length of treatment
is around 7 to 12 weeks for most patients.
How Zyban Works
Bupropion, the active ingredient in Zyban, is thought to act on the area of the brain
that is responsible for nicotine addiction and the urge to smoke. Affecting the absorption
of brain chemicals, Bupropion is also used as an anti-depressant in medications such
as Wellbutrin.
Who Should and Shouldn't Use Zyban
Zyban may increase your risk for experiencing a seizure, so you should not take Zyban
if you have or have had a seizure-related condition.
As mentioned above, Zyban contains bupropion and therefore you shouldn't take Zyban if
you're already taking a medication that contains bupropion, such as Wellbutrin for depression.
Taking too much bupropion may harm your health.
Don't take Zyban if you have an eating disorder or if you're currently quitting an alcohol
or sedative dependency.
Don't take Zyban if you are taking or have recently taken a medication from the MAOI family
(monoamine oxidase inhibotors). The combination is potentially very dangerous.
Other Important Notes
Zyban is associated with a risk of increased blood pressure. This risk is increased if you're
using Zyban and a nicotine patch at the same time. If you're planning to simultaneously use both methods to help
you quit smoking, talk to your doctor about the risks first.
Before starting to take Zyban, tell your doctor about all other drugs you are using, as well
as your complete medical history. Like almost all medications, Zyban can affect certain medical
conditions and it can interact with certain other drugs in harmful ways. Only your doctor can
give you a professional assessment of the risks and benefits.
More Information
See offician Zyban website from GlaxoSmithKline.
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