Wellbutrin XL
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Accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide
Generic Name: bupropion (oral)
(byoo PRO pee on)
What is Wellbutrin XL?
Wellbutrin XL is an antidepressant medication.
Wellbutrin XL is used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. At least one brand of bupropion (Zyban) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.
Wellbutrin XL may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Wellbutrin XL?
Do not take Wellbutrin XL if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
You should not take Wellbutrin XL if you have seizures, an eating disorder, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives.
Wellbutrin XL may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin XL. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking bupropion.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Wellbutrin XL?
Do not take Wellbutrin XL if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
You should not take Wellbutrin XL if you have:
- epilepsy or a seizure disorder
- an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
- if you are using a second form of Wellbutrin XL; or
- if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).
Wellbutrin XL may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:
- heart disease, high blood pressure, history of heart attack
- a history of head injury, seizures, or brain or spinal cord tumor
- kidney disease
- liver disease (especially cirrhosis)
- bipolar disorder (manic depression);
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking Wellbutrin XL, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Wellbutrin XL passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take bupropion without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Wellbutrin XL?
Take Wellbutrin XL exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Wellbutrin XL can be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment. By that time you will have enough of the medicine in your blood stream to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble quitting after you have used Zyban for at least 7 weeks.
Your doctor may prescribe nicotine patches or gum to help support your smoking cessation treatment. Be sure you read all directions and safety information for the nicotine product. Using nicotine with Zyban may raise your blood pressure and your doctor may want to check your blood pressure regularly. Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine product along with Zyban. Too much nicotine can cause serious side effects.
Do not stop taking Wellbutrin XL without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.
If you use the Wellbutrin XL extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
Store Wellbutrin XL at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include seizures, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, fainting, fast or uneven heartbeat, or shallow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking Wellbutrin XL?
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wellbutrin XL. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking bupropion. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.
Avoid using Wellbutrin XL to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take Wellbutrin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.
Wellbutrin XL can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What are the possible side effects of Wellbutrin XL?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- seizure (convulsions)
- severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
- fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling
- confusion, trouble concentrating; or
- hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache or migraine
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth
- dizziness, tremors (shaking)
- appetite changes, weight loss or gain
- mild itching or skin rash, increased sweating; or
- loss of interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Wellbutrin XL?
Many drugs can interact with Wellbutrin XL. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
- cancer medicine such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) or thiotepa (Thioplex)
- heart rhythm medication such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), and others; or
- heart or blood pressure medication such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal), and others.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Wellbutrin XL. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
You may have a higher risk of seizures if you use certain medications together with Wellbutrin XL.Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
- any other antidepressant, or a medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder
- antihistamines that make you sleepy
- asthma medications or bronchodilators
- birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens
- bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Urotrol);
- certain antibiotics such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), penicillin, and others
- diet pills, a stimulant, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin
- insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth
- medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness
- medications to treat or prevent malaria
- medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma)
- medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection
- narcotic pain medication
- a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), and others
- a steroid such as prednisone, and others
- street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine
- theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid); or
- ulcer or irritable bowel medications.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Wellbutrin XL.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.03. Revision date: 05/14/2009.
