Zyban vs. Wellbutrin

Zyban (bupropion) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are both forms of the antidepressant bupropion used for different purposes.

Zyban is used for smoking cessation.

Wellbutrin is used for the management of major depression and seasonal affective disorder.

The Wellbutrin brand of bupropion is used to treat depression.

Side effects of Zyban and Wellbutrin that are similar include agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, constipation, tremor, weight loss or gain, changes in appetite, ringing in your ears, loss of interest in sex, sore throat, muscle pain, itching or skin rash, increased sweating, increased urination, and seizures (especially at higher doses).

Side effects of Wellbutrin that are different from Zyban include vomiting, vision problems or blurred vision, joint aches, strange taste in the mouth, and diarrhea.

Both Zyban and Wellbutrin may interact with alcohol, blood thinners, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, asthma medications or bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, medicines 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; medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

Common side effects of Zyban include:

• agitation,
• dry mouth,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• constipation,
• tremor,
• insomnia,
• weight loss or gain,
• changes in appetite,
• ringing in your ears,
• loss of interest in sex,
• sore throat,
• muscle pain,
• itching or skin rash,
• increase sweating, or
• increased urination.

Seizures may also occur, especially at higher doses of Zyban. Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Zyban including:

• chest pain,
• fainting,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• irregular heartbeat,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, agitation, confusion, memory loss),
• muscle aches,
• ringing in the ears,
• severe headache,
• uncontrolled movements (tremor), or
• unusual weight loss or gain.

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

• agitation,
• dry mouth,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• dizziness,
• ringing in the ears,
• vision problems or blurred vision,
• loss of interest in sex,
• sore throat,
• muscle pain,
• itching or skin rash,
• increased sweating,
• increased urination,
• tremor,
• changes in appetite,
• weight loss or gain,
• joint aches,
• strange taste in the mouth,
• diarrhea, and
• seizures (especially at higher doses).

Zyban (bupropion) is an antidepressant in the aminoketone drug class used for smoking cessation.

Wellbutrin is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder.

Zyban may interact with medication used to prevent blood clots, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV or AIDS medication, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, asthma medications or bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, medicines 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; medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, street drugs, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Zyban; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Zyban can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Zyban is not recommended.

Wellbutrin may interact with insulin, blood thinners, and asthma medications. Wellbutrin may also interact with many medications including heart or blood pressure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat a psychiatric disorder, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, oral diabetes medication, medicines for nausea/vomiting/motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, medication for restless leg syndrome, medication for pituitary gland tumor, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

The usual dose of Zyban is 150 to 450 mg daily.

• Take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Wellbutrin without talking with your healthcare provider first.
• Swallow Wellbutrin tablets whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush Wellbutrin tablets.
• Take Wellbutrin at the same time each day.
• Take your doses of Wellbutrin at least 6 hours apart.
• You may take Wellbutrin with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for the dose you missed. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. This is very important. Too much Wellbutrin can increase your chance of having a seizure.
• If you take too much Wellbutrin, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
• Do not take any other medicines while taking Wellbutrin unless your healthcare provider has told you it is okay.
• If you are taking Wellbutrin for the treatment of major depressive disorder, it may take several weeks for you to feel that Wellbutrin is working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you do not feel Wellbutrin is working for you.