Brand Name

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL {Watson Laboratories}

Generic Name

bupropion, pronounced byoo PRO pee on

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Bupropion Hydrochloride XL?

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL is an extended-release antidepressant used to treat patients with major depressive disorder. You may also have been prescribed this medication to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Bupropion Hydrochloride XL may be used for other reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Bupropion Hydrochloride XL

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL is an antidepressant that helps people with major depressive disorder or Seasonal Affective Disorder by affecting the chemicals in the brain that are imbalanced and may cause this condition.

You should not take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications along with Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL can cause seizures, particularly in people with certain medical conditions or along with the use of certain drugs. Tell your doctor if you suffer from seizures, epilepsy or are taking other medications.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL, as it may increase your risk for seizures.

When you first start taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL you may have thoughts about suicide, especially if you are younger than 24 years of age. You must tell your doctor if you have these thoughts, and be sure to keep regular appointments with your physician, particularly for the first 3 months of treatment.

If you have any new or worsening symptoms, like mood changes, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, impulsiveness, irritability, aggression, hyperactivity, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself tell your doctor immediately.

Be aware that Bupropion Hydrochloride XL may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Bupropion Hydrochloride XL will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL. You should not breast-feed while taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL, as it is known if Bupropion Hydrochloride XL can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Before You Take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL

If you are allergic to bupropion you should not take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Tell your doctor if you are currently taking an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You will need to wait at least 14 days after stopping your MAO inhibitor before you can take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Tell your doctor if you want to stop taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL, especially if you want to go back to taking an MAO inhibitor. You will need to wait at least 14 days after stopping Bupropion Hydrochloride XL before you can take an MOA inhibitor.

Let your doctor know if you have an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia before you start taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

If you have epilepsy, seizures, a history of head injuries or a tumor on your brain or spinal cord you may not be able to take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Tell your doctor before starting Bupropion Hydrochloride XL if you have cirrhosis of the liver or kidney disease.

You should inform your doctor if you have previously been diagnosed as manic depressive, bipolar, or if you have had a history of suicidal thoughts or drug abuse.

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure or have had a heart attack you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Bupropion Hydrochloride XL.

Tell your doctor if you are using a second form of bupropion, like Zyban, which is used to control cravings for nicotine if you are trying to stop smoking.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL, as you can increase your risk of seizures. If you regularly drink alcohol tell your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Bupropion Hydrochloride XL may precipitate seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then stop drinking suddenly once they start taking this medication.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Adderall
• antibiotics cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin) and penicillin
• antidepressants
• antihistamines
• anti-malaria drugs
• anti-nausea medications
• asthma medications or bronchodilators
• atenolol (Tenormin)
• birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens
• cancer medications like cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil), irinotecan (Camptosar), and thiotepa (Thioplex)
• clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticlopidine (Ticlid), tirofiban (Aggrastat)
• diabetes medications or insulin
• diet pills
• efavirenz (Atripla, Sustiva)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• irritable bowel medications
• metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol)
• narcotic pain medications
• organ transplant medications
• oxybutynin (Ditropan, Urotrol)
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma) medications
• prednisone
• propafenone (Rythmol)
• propranolol (Inderal)
• restless leg syndrome medications
• Ritalin
• ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
• steroids
• street drugs like cocaine or “speed”
• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid)
• ulcer medications
• Valium (diazepam)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Bupropion Hydrochloride XL. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL

You should take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You should take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL at the same time every day.

Do not break, chew, or crush Bupropion Hydrochloride XL, swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

You can take Bupropion Hydrochloride XL with or without food.

You may experience a false-positive result on a drug test while taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL. Be sure to let the laboratory know that you are taking this medication before any screenings are done.

Do not stop using Bupropion Hydrochloride XL without consulting your doctor, as you may experience adverse side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Your doctor may change your dosage of Bupropion Hydrochloride XL throughout the course of your treatment, and you should follow his or her instructions carefully.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Bupropion Hydrochloride XL you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Bupropion Hydrochloride XL and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• anxiety or panic attacks
• bruising easily or more often
• confusion
• depression that has increased
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• extreme itching
• fever
• general ill feeling
• hallucinations
• increased heart rate
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• seizures
• skin reaction that is severe with blistering and peeling
• suicidal thoughts or thought about hurting yourself
• swollen glands
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• unusual thoughts or behavior

Less serious side effects of Bupropion Hydrochloride XL may include:

• appetite changes, along with weight gain or weight loss
• constipation
• decreased libido
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased sweating
• insomnia
• migraines
• nausea
• skin rash
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Bupropion Hydrochloride XL. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL Description and Dosing

Bupropion Hydrochloride XL is available in 150 mg and 300 mg doses. Both the 150 mg and 300 mg doses are white to off-white extended-release tablets.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Bupropion Hydrochloride XL you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Bupropion Hydrochloride XL

The primary active ingredient in Bupropion Hydrochloride XL is bupropion hydrochloride.
Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide, hydrochloric acid and triethyl citrate.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.