Zyban

Zyban (bupropion) is an oral medication that reduces the severity of anxiety states. Its use is justified when anxiety becomes unbearable and lasts over time. Unlike other anxiolytic drugs it does not promote sleep.

Bupropion (also known as amfebutanone) is an atypical antidepressant whose structure closely resembles that of amphetamine, a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. However – despite the similarity with amphetamine – bupropion has a completely different pharmacological activity.

Zyban is available for oral administration as tablets. As the drug can cause sleep disturbances, taking the tablets before bedtime is not recommended.

Zyban is a drug that is not only used for the treatment of major depression, but is also used in smoking cessation therapy. In fact, in addition to inhibiting dopamine reuptake (a mechanism responsible for the antidepressant action), the drug also has an antagonistic action against nicotinic receptors already at therapeutic concentrations.

Zyban – thanks to its mechanism of action – is able to reduce nicotine cravings in patients, also reducing the discomfort and symptoms induced by abstinence. Furthermore, the drug is able to reduce the risk of relapse.

Zyban dosage must be established by the doctor on an individual basis. In any case, the dose of drug normally used is 150 mg of active ingredient, to be taken once a day. The dose can be increased up to 300 mg. In patients with hepatic and / or renal insufficiency a reduction in the dose of bupropion administered may be necessary. Although no cases of withdrawal symptoms have been reported, abrupt termination of therapy is not recommended; instead, a gradual reduction of the dose is recommended.

Zyban should be taken by mouth, at the doses indicated by the doctor. Do not increase the number of tablets taken every day and do not extend the treatment beyond the prescribed period. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the drug to fully develop its effectiveness, so treatment should not be interrupted too soon if no improvement is observed.

Store the drug at room temperature, in a cool, dry place away from light. Do not use the drug if the label indicates that it has expired. Keep it away from children. Store the medicine in the original package together with the package insert.

Wellbutrin is a medicine prescribed by your doctor to treat your depression. It is thought to interact with chemicals in the brain called noradrenaline and dopamine, which are linked to depression. The active ingredient is bupropion hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 150 mg or 300 mg of bupropion hydrochloride.

It is up to your prescriber to determine which of the two medications is best for you, proceeding from a) response to therapy and b) susceptibility towards side effects of either of the drugs.

Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant drug belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class. Furthermore, sertraline also has a weak action on the re-uptake of noradrenaline and dopamine. The use of sertraline is indicated for the treatment of:

• Depression;
• Social anxiety disorder;
• Panic attacks, phobias;
• PTSD;
• OCD.

The use of bupropion is limited to the treatment of major depressive disorder, so its application is limited to this specific subpopulation. However, Zyban is also appointed in patients fighting nicotine addictions.

Champix (varenicline) is a drug with specific indications to help patients stop smoking. Champix represents an alternative to the use of other drugs used to combat smoking addiction, such as Zyban and nicotinic replacement therapy.

Some studies have shown that Champix may be more effective than Zyban in smoking cessation therapy and relapse prevention. However, you should rely on prescriber’s opinion when choosing your quit-smoking drug.

Chantix (varenicline) is a full analog of Champix, the drug described in the paragraph above. When compared to Zyban and its application, they are used interchangeably, with Chantix effects for smoking cessation being more promising but less studied. However, while Zyban is also used in depression disorder treatment, Chantix is strictly a nicotine dependence drug whose use is limited to helping in quitting smoking.

In addition to the expected health effects, Zyban can cause the onset of certain side effects. This drug is generally well tolerated; however, sometimes disorders such as: dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, agitation, insomnia or drowsiness and tingling in the limbs may occur. Tell your doctor if you have any other problems while taking the medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any other complaints due to taking the medicine.

Some side effects can be enhanced by alcoholic beverages which should therefore be avoided.

If you are taking other anxiolytics containing substances called “benzodiazepines” you should not immediately stop using it (unless otherwise advised by your doctor), since this drug is not effective before ten days.

Report the medications you are taking; if you have serious kidney or liver or other organ diseases; if you have suffered in the past from “allergies” to drugs or diseases such as eczema, asthma, hives.

Report if a work activity is taking place that involves particular dangers and requires a particularly intense state of attention.

(For patients): Report if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if a pregnancy is possible.

You should not take other drugs with sedative effects concomitantly with Zyban, for instance medications for allergies (antihistamines), products to treat cold symptoms, pills for insomnia and other drugs that the doctor or pharmacist will be able to indicate.