MEDICATION GUIDE
BuPROPion Hydrochloride Tablets, USP
Read this Medication Guide carefully before you start using bupropion hydrochloride tablets and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. If you have any questions about bupropion hydrochloride tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to read the three sections of this Medication Guide. The first section is about the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions with antidepressant medicines; the second section is about the risk of changes in thinking and behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts or actions with medicines used to quit smoking; and the third section is entitled “What Other Important Information Should I Know About Bupropion Hydrochloride Tablets?”
Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions
This section of the Medication Guide is only about the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions with antidepressant medicines. Talk to your, or your family member’s healthcare provider about:
- •all risks and benefits of treatment with antidepressant medicines
- •all treatment choices for depression or other serious mental illness
What is the most important information I should know about antidepressant medicines, depression and other serious mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts or actions?
- 1.Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment.
- 2.Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.
- 3.How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
- ∘Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed.
- ∘Call the healthcare provider right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
- ∘Keep all follow-up visits with the healthcare provider as scheduled. Call the healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
- •thoughts about suicide or dying
- •attempts to commit suicide
- •new or worse depression
- •new or worse anxiety
- •feeling very agitated or restless
- •panic attacks
- •trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- •new or worse irritability
- •acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
- •acting on dangerous impulses
- •an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- •other unusual changes in behavior or mood
What else do I need to know about antidepressant medicines?
- •Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping an antidepressant medicine suddenly can cause other symptoms.
- •Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. It is important to discuss all the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. Patients and their families or other caregivers should discuss all treatment choices with the healthcare provider, not just the use of antidepressants.
- •Antidepressant medicines have other side effects. Talk to the healthcare provider about the side effects of the medicine prescribed for you or your family member.
- •Antidepressant medicines can interact with other medicines. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member takes. Keep a list of all medicines to show the healthcare provider. Do not start new medicines without first checking with your healthcare provider.
- •Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more information.
Bupropion hydrochloride tablets have not been studied in children under the age of 18 and are not approved for use in children and teenagers.
Quitting Smoking, Quit-Smoking Medications, Changes in Thinking and Behavior, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions
This section of the Medication Guide is only about the risk of changes in thinking and behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts or actions with drugs used to quit smoking.
Although bupropion hydrochloride tablets is not a treatment for quitting smoking, it contains the same active ingredient (bupropion hydrochloride) as ZYBAN® which is used to help patients quit smoking.
Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions while taking bupropion to help them quit smoking. These symptoms can develop during treatment with bupropion or after stopping treatment with bupropion.
If you, your family member, or your caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in thinking or behavior that are not typical for you, or you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking bupropion and call your healthcare provider right away:
- •thoughts about suicide or dying
- •attempts to commit suicide
- •new or worse depression
- •new or worse anxiety
- •panic attacks
- •feeling very agitated or restless
- •acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
- •acting on dangerous impulses
- •an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- •abnormal thoughts or sensations
- •seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- •feeling people are against you (paranoia)
- •feeling confused
- •other unusual changes in behavior or mood
When you try to quit smoking, with or without bupropion, you may have symptoms that may be due to nicotine withdrawal, including urge to smoke, depressed mood, trouble sleeping, irritability, frustration, anger, feeling anxious, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain. Some people have even experienced suicidal thoughts when trying to quit smoking without medication. Sometimes quitting smoking can lead to worsening of mental health problems that you already have, such as depression.
Before taking bupropion, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had depression or other mental illnesses. You should also tell your doctor about any symptoms you had during other times you tried to quit smoking, with or without bupropion.
What other important information should I know about bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
- •Seizures. There is a chance of having a seizure (convulsion, fit) with bupropion hydrochloride tablets, especially in people:
- ∘with certain medical problems.
- ∘who take certain medicines.
- The chance of having seizures increases with higher doses of bupropion hydrochloride tablets. For more information, see the sections “Who should not take bupropion hydrochloride tablets?” and “What should I tell my doctor before using bupropion hydrochloride tablets?” Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all the medicines you take. Do not take any other medicines while you are using bupropion hydrochloride tablets unless your doctor has said it is okay to take them.
- If you have a seizure while taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets, stop taking the tablets and call your doctor right away. Do not take bupropion hydrochloride tablets again if you have a seizure.
- •High blood pressure (hypertension). Some people get high blood pressure, that can be severe, while taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets. The chance of high blood pressure may be higher if you also use nicotine replacement therapy (such as a nicotine patch) to help you stop smoking.
- •Severe allergic reactions. Some people have severe allergic reaction to bupropion hydrochloride tablets. Stop taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets and call your doctor right away if you get a rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, swelling of the lips or tongue, chest pain, or have trouble breathing. These could be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
- •Unusual thoughts or behaviors. Some patients have unusual thoughts or behaviors while taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets, including delusions (believe you are someone else), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), paranoia (feeling that people are against you), or feeling confused. If this happens to you, call your doctor.
What are bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
Bupropion hydrochloride tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder.
Who should not take bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
Do not take bupropion hydrochloride tablets if you
- •have or had a seizure disorder or epilepsy.
- •are taking ZYBAN (used to help people stop smoking) or any other medicines that contain bupropion hydrochloride, such as Wellbutrin SR Sustained-Release Tablets or Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets. Bupropion is the same active ingredient that is in bupropion hydrochloride tablets, USP.
- •drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking, or use medicines called sedatives (these make you sleepy) or benzodiazepines and you stop using them all of a sudden.
- •take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
- odo not take an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping bupropion hydrochloride tablets unless directed to do so by your physician.
- odo not start bupropion hydrochloride tablets if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your physician.
- •have or had an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
- •are allergic to the active ingredient in bupropion hydrochloride tablets, bupropion, or to any of the inactive ingredients. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in bupropion hydrochloride tablets.
What should I tell my doctor before using bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or other mental health problems. See “Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions.”
- •Tell your doctor about your other medical conditions including if you:
- •are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if bupropion hydrochloride tablets can harm your unborn baby.
- •are breastfeeding. Bupropion hydrochloride tablets passes through your milk. It is not known if bupropion hydrochloride can harm your baby.
- •have liver problems, especially cirrhosis of the liver.
- •have kidney problems.
- •have an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
- •have had a head injury.
- •have had a seizure (convulsion, fit).
- •have a tumor in your nervous system (brain or spine).
- •have had a heart attack, heart problems, or high blood pressure.
- •are a diabetic taking insulin or other medicines to control your blood sugar.
- •drink a lot of alcohol.
- •abuse prescription medicines or street drugs.
- •Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Many medicines increase your chances of having seizures or other serious side effects if you take them while you are using bupropion hydrochloride tablets.
How should I take bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
- •Take bupropion hydrochloride tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- •Take bupropion hydrochloride tablets at the same time each day.
- •Take your doses of bupropion hydrochloride tablets at least 6 hours apart.
- •You may take bupropion hydrochloride tablets with or without food.
- •If you miss a dose, do not take an extra tablet to make up for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next tablet at the regular time. This is very important. Too many bupropion hydrochloride tablets can increase your chance of having a seizure.
- •If you take too many bupropion hydrochloride tablets, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
- •Do not take any other medicines while using bupropion hydrochloride tablets unless your doctor has told you it is okay.
- •It may take several weeks for you to feel that bupropion hydrochloride tablets are working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets exactly as directed by your doctor. Call your doctor if you do not feel bupropion hydrochloride tablets are working for you.
- •Do not change your dose or stop taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets without talking with your doctor first.
What should I avoid while taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
- •Do not drink a lot of alcohol while taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets. If you usually drink a lot of alcohol, talk with your doctor before suddenly stopping. If you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, you may increase your risk of having seizures.
- •Do not drive a car or use heavy machinery until you know how bupropion hydrochloride tablets affects you. Bupropion hydrochloride tablets can impair your ability to perform these tasks.
What are possible side effects of bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
Bupropion hydrochloride tablets can cause serious side effects. Read this entire Medication Guide for more information about these serious side effects.
The most common side effects of bupropion hydrochloride tablets are nervousness, constipation, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, and shakiness (tremor).
If you have nausea, take your medicine with food. If you have trouble sleeping, do not take your medicine too close to bedtime.
These are not all the side effects of bupropion hydrochloride tablets. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
- •Store bupropion hydrochloride tablets at room temperature. Store out of direct sunlight. Keep bupropion hydrochloride tablets in its tightly closed bottle.
General Information about bupropion hydrochloride tablets.
- •Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use bupropion hydrochloride tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give bupropion hydrochloride tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. Keep bupropion hydrochloride tablets out of the reach of children.
- •If you take a urine drug screening test, bupropion hydrochloride tablets may make the test result positive for amphetamines. If you tell the person giving you the drug screening test that you are taking bupropion hydrochloride tablets, they can do a more specific drug screening test that should not have this problem.
This Medication Guide summarizes important information about bupropion hydrochloride tablets. For more information, talk to your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about bupropion hydrochloride tablets that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in bupropion hydrochloride tablets?
Active ingredient: bupropion hydrochloride.
Inactive ingredients: FD&C Blue No. 2 aluminum lake, FD&C Red No. 40 aluminum lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, potassium chloride, pregelatinized starch, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, and triethyl citrate.
The following are registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers: KALETRA®/Abbott Laboratories; Wellbutrin SR®, Wellbutrin XL®, ZYBAN®/GlaxoSmith Kline.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Sandoz Inc.
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