Pill of the Month

November 2008-Bupropion HCl

Bupropion HCl
Brand Name: Zyban

Uses:
Zyban is a prescription medication designed to help smokers quit more easily than without the drug. It comes in a pill form. It does not contain nicotine. Although ZYBAN is not indicated for treatment of depression, it contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant medications WELLBUTRIN®, WELLBUTRIN SR®, and WELLBUTRIN XL®. The goal of therapy with ZYBAN is complete abstinence. If a patient has not made significant progress towards abstinence by the seventh week of therapy with ZYBAN, it is unlikely that he or she will quit during that attempt, and treatment should probably be discontinued.

Pharmacodynamics:
Bupropion is a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, and does not inhibit monoamine oxidase or the re-uptake of serotonin. The mechanism by which ZYBAN enhances the ability of patients to abstain from smoking is unknown. However, it is presumed that this action is mediated by noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms.

Side Effects:
Include, but not limited to: insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, joint pain, muscle pain, and diarrhea.


References: http://www.rxlist.com/zyban-drug.htm and http://lungs.emedtv.com/zyban/zyban-side-effects.html