• Uses

Wellbutrin is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain. It's also used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

• Directions

The regular tablet is usually taken three or four times a day, with doses at least 6 hours apart. The sustained-release tablet is usually taken twice a day, with doses at least 8 hours apart. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily in the morning. When this is used to treat seasonal affective disorder, it is usually taken once a day in the morning beginning in the early fall, continuing through the winter, and stopping in the early spring. Sometimes a lower dose is taken for 2 weeks before the medication is stopped. Take this with food if the medication upsets your stomach

• Side Effects

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.Other side effects, tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: drowsiness, excitement, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, weight loss, constipation and excessive sweating.

• Precautions

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medications. Do not forget to tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. This may cause side effects, tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: drowsiness, excitement, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, weight loss, constipation and excessive sweating.

• Drug Interactions

Do not take Wellbutrin 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 Wellbutrin 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.

• Overdose

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.

• Missed dosage

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.

• Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.