Bupropion is a drug to treat depression, both mild and severe depression. This drug can also be used to help overcome smoking addiction.
As an antidepressant, bupropion works by balancing the brain's natural chemicals (neurotransmitter) so that it can improve the mood of people with depression. To overcome smoking addiction, bupropion works by reducing the desire to smoke and the effects of quitting cigarettes.
Bupropion is an antidepressant drug that must be taken with a doctor's prescription. During the use of bupropion, patients are advised to have regular check-ups with their doctor so that their condition can be continuously monitored, especially in the early days of using this drug.
Trademark: Zyban
What is Bupropion?
| group | Antidepressants |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Overcome depression and help quit smoking |
| Consumed by | Adults and seniors |
| Bupropion for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. This medicine may be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warnings Before Using Bupropion:
- Do not use bupropion if you have a history of allergy to this drug.
- Do not use bupropion within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking bupropion, as they can increase the side effects of bupropion.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, brain or spinal tumour, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, or kidney, liver or heart problems.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal remedies.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery, as bupropion may cause dizziness.
- If an allergic reaction occurs to the drug and an overdose after using bupropion, see a doctor immediately.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Bupropion
The dose of bupropion will be adjusted according to the patient's age and tolerance to the drug. The following dosages of bupropion are based on their intended use:
Purpose: overcoming depression
Dosage tablet type immediate release for adults:
- Initial dose 100 mg, 2 times daily, for 3 days. The dose can be increased to 100 mg, up to 3 times a day.
- After a few weeks, the dose can be increased to 150 mg, 3 times a day.
Dosage tablet type sustained release for adults:
- Initial dose is 150 mg, once daily, in the morning. The dose can be increased to 2 times a day.
- After 4 weeks, the dose may be increased, but not more than 200 mg, twice daily.
Dosage tablet type extended release for adults:
- The initial dose is 150 mg per day. The dose can be increased to 300 mg per day. The maximum dose is 450 mg per day.
Dosage tablet type immediate release for seniors:
- 37.5 mg, 2 times a day.
Dosage tablet type sustained release for seniors:
- The initial dose is 100 mg per day. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day.
Purpose: stop smoking
Dosage of tablets for adults:
- Initial dose is 150 mg, once daily, for 3 days. The dose may be increased to 150 mg, 2 times daily, for 7-12 Maximum dose is 300 mg per day.
Dosage of tablets for the elderly:
- The dose is 150 mg, once daily, for 7-9 weeks.
How to Take Bupropion Correctly
Follow the instructions and advice of your doctor when using bupropion. Swallow bupropion whole, do not split, or chew the medicine.
It takes 1 month or more to feel the effects of bupropion.
Do not stop using bupropion without your doctor's instructions, because the dose of the drug will need to be gradually reduced until it is time to stop.
This medicine can be taken before or with meals. If you feel nauseous, take bupropion with meals. If you forget to take the drug, ignore it and do not double the dose on the next consumption schedule.
If you have trouble sleeping or have insomnia, do not take this medication close to bedtime.
Store this medication at room temperature, away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Interactions of Bupropion with Other Drugs
The effects of drug interactions that can occur if bupropion is used together with other drugs are:
- Increased risk of fatal side effects when used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
- Increased risk of fatal side effects when used with levodopa or amantadine.
- Increased toxicity of bupropion, when used with beta blockers.
- Increased risk of seizures, when used with antipsychotics, theophylline, or corticosteroids
- Decreased effectiveness of bupropion, when used with carbamazepine and ritonavir.
Side Effects and Dangers Bupropion
Side effects that can occur after taking bupropion include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Feeling restless
- Hard to sleep
- Excessive breathing (hyperventilation)
- dry mouth
- Stomach ache
- Tremor
- Loss of appetite
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Check with a doctor if you experience the complaints mentioned above. You are also advised to go to the ER immediately if you experience a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips and eyes, or difficulty breathing; also when experiencing a drug overdose characterized by hallucinations, fast heart beat, decreased consciousness, or seizures.
