How to Use Zyban
Zyban is a prescription medication designed to assist patients in their efforts to quit smoking. According to the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, studies have shown that one-third of people who took Zyban were able to quit smoking for at least one month. Zyban contains bupropion hydrochloride, the same active ingredient as the anti-depressant, Wellbutrin. Tell your doctor if you are already taking Wellbutrin or another anti-depressant.
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Instructions
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1
Set a target quit date with your doctor. This will be the date you will stop smoking, and it should be approximately one to two weeks after you start taking Zyban. This will give the medication time to start working before you stop smoking.
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2
Take one 150-mg pill of Zyban per day for the first three days, or follow your doctor's instructions. Try to take the pill at the same time each day. Swallow the pill whole with a glass of water and do not crush or divide it.
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3
Increase your dose to one 150-mg pill of Zyban twice daily after your first three days of treatment. It is best to take one pill in the morning and one at night, and always leave at least 8 hours between doses. According to the manufacturer, the maximum recommended dose is 300 mg per day, so do not exceed two pills per day.
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4
Store your bottle of Zyban at room temperature and keep the lid tightly closed. Do not refrigerate the medication.
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5
Stop smoking on the target quit date you set in Step 1. Try to stop smoking completely, but if you do smoke, make a note of how often and discuss your progress with your doctor. If Zyban is not helping you quit, your doctor may prescribe an alternate treatment.
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Continue your treatment for 7 to 12 weeks, or until your doctor instructs you to stop. The manufacturer of Zyban has found that patients who are unable to quit smoking by 7 to 12 weeks are unlikely to be helped by further treatment with this medication. If you were able to successfully quit during the first 12 weeks, your doctor may prescribe a maintenance dose of Zyban to assist you in remaining smoke-free.
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Talk to your doctor if you experience side effects that bother you while taking Zyban. Common side effects include insomnia, dizziness and dry mouth.
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Tips & Warnings
These instructions are taken from the recommended usage guidelines published by the manufacturer, but your doctor may have slightly different instructions for you to follow. Always follow the instructions and advice of your doctor when taking Zyban.
