What is Aplenzin?

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication.

Bupropion 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.

Bupropion may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Aplenzin?

Do not take bupropion 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 bupropion 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.
Bupropion 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 bupropion. Alcohol may increase your risk of a seizure while you are taking bupropion.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aplenzin?

You should not take bupropion if you have:

epilepsy or a seizure disorder
an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
if you are using a second form of bupropion; or
if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium)

Bupropion 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 bupropion, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Bupropion 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.

Aplenzin Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Aplenzin?

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.

Aplenzin Interactions

What other drugs affect Aplenzin?

Many drugs can interact with bupropion. 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 bupropion. 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 bupropion. 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

What should I avoid while taking Aplenzin?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking bupropion. 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 bupropion 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.

Bupropion 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.

Aplenzin Dosage

How should I take Aplenzin?

Take bupropion 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.

Bupropion 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 bupropion without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

If you use the bupropion 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 bupropion at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Aplenzin?

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 happens if I miss a dose of Aplenzin?

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.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Aplenzin