Warnings & Recalls for Bupropion
Black Box Warnings for Bupropion
Bupropion has received two warnings due to the serious risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior in child, adolescent, and young adult patients with a history with a previous history of mental or mood disorders, such as depression, and for the possible occurrence of serious mental disorders while taking this medication. Patients should be closely monitored for any sudden changes in behavior or worsening of their conditions while on this medication. Patients who smoke or have recently quit smoking while on this medication may be at an increased risk for this.
Bupropion and Pregnancy
Bupropion is an FDA
pregnancy Category C drug. The effect of this medicine on an unborn baby is
unknown. Bupropion may pass through breast-milk and cause harm to a nursing baby.
Do not breastfeed while using bupropion and do not take this drug without first consulting your doctor if you are pregnant.
General Warning
Bupropion
should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to ingredients in this medicine or anyone with the following conditions:
- anyone who has taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor in the past two weeks
- epilepsy any disorder which may cause seizures
- anorexia, bulimia or any eating problems or disorders
- if you are using any similar medicine
- if you have abruptly ended your use of alcohol or any sedative (sleep inducing) medicine
Tell your doctor about
any medical conditions you have in order to make sure bupropion is safe for you to use, especially if you have:
- heart problems or disease; if you have ever had a heart attack
- if you have a history of injuries or damage to the head
- a history of a tumor of the brain or spinal cord
- ever had a seizure
- high blood pressure
- liver or kidney disease
- bipolar disorder ("mood swings")
Patients should know that bupropion may
increase the risk of seizures, particularly when combined with
alcohol. Using more than the recommended dose of bupropion may also increase the likelihood of having a seizure.
Bupropion Interactions
Certain drugs could interfere with bupropion and cause
serious side effects. Tell your doctor about
all medicines(including "street drugs") you may be using, especially:
- treatments for blood clots
- chemotherapy medications
- drugs for treating blood pressure or heart problems
- HIV and AIDS medicines
- other antidepressants or medicines for your condition
- any medicine that could make you sleepy
- antibiotics and anti-malaria drugs
- hormonal pills or birth control
- bladder and urinary treatments
- drugs for treating breathing problems
- diabetes medicines
- steroids (corticosteroids)
- medicines for controlling muscle movement disorders
- transplant rejection preventing medications
Bupropion Treatment and Use
Bupropion | Wellbutrin is a generic antidepressant medicine produced by various manufacturers for the treatment of certain mental illnesses. Bupropion may be prescribed for various conditions such as:
- reducing depression
- decreasing symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (depression occurring in the colder seasons of the year)
- to assist people who are trying to quit smoking
- treating depression in patients with bipolar disorder
- reducing side effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Bupropion should not be used by anyone under 18 years old without a prescription.
How Does Bupropion Work?
Bupropion works by interfering with neuronsand neurotransmitters in the brain. Bupropion prevents the re-absorption of neurotransmitters, which is believed to be the cause of depression or sadness.
How to Use Bupropion
Bupropion is available in tablet, sustained-release tablet, or extended-release tablet form to be taken orally with a full glass of water. Do not chew or crush tablets in any way. Tablets are typically prescribed to be taken between 3 or 4 times each day (once every 6 hours) in 75mg to 100mg doses. Sustained-release bupropion is normally used twice daily (at least 8 hours apart) in 100mg to 150mg doses. The extended-release tablet is recommended to be taken in a 150mg or 300mg dose once daily. If you have seasonal depression, you may be prescribed to take bupropion once each morning in fall and winter seasons. Ask your doctor which dosage and treatment is right for your condition. Use bupropion as prescribed to you by your doctor.
increase in suicidal thoughts