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Zyban (Bupropion) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Zyban (Bupropion) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 16 ratings/reviews, Zyban has an overall score of 5.56. The effectiveness score is 7.38 and the side effect score is 4.88. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Zyban review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   smoking cessation
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken twice daily for the period of 10 days
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none
Side effects:   severe anxiety attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts.
Comments:   I had to take 150mg daily for the 1st 5 days, then twice daily. The tablets made me feel very anxious and depressed from day 6 onwards. I experienced a full blown anxiety attack on day 10, with racing thoughts that I could not control, suicidal thoughts, and a feeling that I was about to lose my mind. I had the presence of mind to realise that I was experiencing a reaction to the drug, but had to call a friend to spend the evening with me as I was experiencing a strong urge to kill myself. I discontinued the tablets, and the symptoms went away immediately

 

Zyban review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Smoking Cessation
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken twice daily for the period of 4 Months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Birth Control
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The drug did exactly what it was supposed to do. It completely eliminated all nicotine cravings leaving only the psychological aspect to worry about. So if I kept myself busy, the thought of smoking would never even enter my mind.
Side effects:   For the first week or so, I was slightly hyperactive and had some trouble sleeping. That problem went away with some adjustment in the time I took the drug as well as with my bodies assimilation of the drug. I also had a mildly bad taste in my mouth. That too faded away.
Comments:   I expressed to my doctor a desire to try this drug to quit smoking. She prescribed it to me and I began taking it shortly thereafter. Before my 2 week quit date had even arrived, I noticed a marked decrease in nicotine withdrawl episodes. I just didn't need to smoke. I found I was started to smoke only when I thought I "should" - after dinner, right before bed and other habitual times. Once I stopped smoking all together, it was a relief to only have to battle my habits and not the withdrawl effects of nicotine as well.

 

Zyban review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   smoking cessation
Dosage & duration:   2 tablets each day taken twice daily for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   assisted with stopping smoking
Side effects:   vivid dreams, dry mouth
Comments:   2 tablets each day - for 2 weeks continue smoking and then stop after 2 weeks. I don't know how this works but I really did not like smoking when taking this. The treatment still requires a fairly high degree of willpower to manage the cravings. I keep a checklist of things to do - brush my teeth, drink water, go for a walk. I have now been smoke free for 6 months and at times it's still hard - I do still get cravings but they don't last very long and I can control them. Another good tip I got was to put some butts in a jar with some water. A quick sniff of this and the thought of smoking goes away.

 

Zyban review by 49 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   to stop smoking
Dosage & duration:   unsure (dosage frequency: once a day) for the period of 3 weeks
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   It was the first product I ever tried that actually stopped my desire to quit smoking. Unfortunately due to the severe allergic reaction I had I was no longer able to take it.
Side effects:   I had a severe allergic reaction. It included hive, swelling and internalized into the joints. I had to take steroids to alleviate the reaction
Comments:   I took the Zyban for three weeks and it helped me to quit smoking, but the side effects/allergic reaction was to severe to continue.

 

Zyban review by 49 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   to quit smoking
Dosage & duration:   don't remember (dosage frequency: once a day) for the period of 3 weeks
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   After taking the Zyban for 3 weeks my desire to smoke was nearly eliminated. I had tried other methods to quit smoking and this one actually worked! Unfortunately I had a severe allergic reactions to the medication (the main ingredient Wellbutrin).
Side effects:   I initially broke out in hives which became so severe I was taken off the Zyban and prescribed a steroid. The allergic reaction internalized and I ended up missing 3 weeks of work do the joint immobility it caused.
Comments:   I was impressed with the ability the medication had with my decreased desire to want to smoke, but the side affects/allergic reaction was to severe to continue using it.

 

Zyban review by 36 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   SMOKING CESSATION
Dosage & duration:   150mg/d taken 1xp/d. did not sustain recommended 300mg for the period of approx. 3 months/ 90 days
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The treatment seemed to help considerably with the generalized brain 'fuzziness', lack of focus, fatigue and irrational mood swings that I had experienced on every other non-Zyban supported attempt to quit smoking. The treatment dramatically lessened the effect of nicotine withdrawal, or at least its perception, such that any reflexive craving to smoke was manageably overcome until the habit was finally broken.
Side effects:   At 150mg/d side effects were minimal - perhaps a slight boost in energy. In contrast, at 300mg/d - which I could handle for only a short period - I felt "shaky" with restless legs and some insomnia. These problems went away when I reverted to 150mg/d. I feel the treatment was entirely effective at this lower dose, and unmanageably unpleasant at the higher [and recommended!] dose. Perhaps Zyban should revisit their dosing recommendations.
Comments:   I began taking 150mg/d two weeks/ 14 days before my actual quit date. On the quit date, I also started a series of yoga classes and regular physical activity through the first few months of smoking cessation. I decided to continue taking Zyban beyond the recommended period to a full 3 months at 1 dose daily. In my experience, I would recommend a lower daily dosage of 150mg/d for a longer extended period of time given my success in using Zyban in this manner.

 

Zyban review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Smoking
Dosage & duration:   1 tablet per day taken daily for the period of 10 weeks
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I gave up smoking fo four months after taking Zyban for 10 weeks
Side effects:   Zyban made me not care about smoking, it also made me not care about anything else, not exactly depressed - just nothing seemed worthwhle.
Comments:   I took Zyban for 10 days before my quit day, then quit smoking and continued with the Zyban for a further 8 weeks. During that time I smoked on three or four occasions, mostly part of my husband's cigarette. I was really pleased with how I had done, and thought I had finally managed to kick the habit. But on holiday with a lot of smokers I gave in and smoked, thinking I would stop again when I got home - unfortunately that didn't happen.

 

Zyban review by 37 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   smoking
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken once a day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I was able to reduce my smoking completely when taken as prescribed.
Side effects:   Insomnia and ringing in the ears upon first taking the medication. After about a week or two these side effects diminished or disappeared completely
Comments:   Welbutrin was prescribed to aid in reducing or eliminating the urge to smoke. For the first two weeks smoke as normal and then at the conclusion of two weeks stop smoking altogether. After the first week the urge to smoke had been reduced and I found myself smoking less and less. By the end of week two the urge to smoke was minimal to non-existent.

 

Zyban review by 56 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Smoking
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken 2x daily for the period of 7 weeks
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   After smoking for 41 years, I no longer smoke and can't believe I ever did.
Side effects:   ZERO side effects.
Comments:   I held on to the prescription for 18 months, but never filled it - until I decided I should, completely expecting to fail. I did as prescribed and continued to smoke through the first week or so. One night I saw only six cigarettes left. I became anxious and actually went out and BOUGHT TWO PACKS! Leaving the store, I felt like a junkie who just scored a fix, and, I was disgusted. But - I smoked them, finishing the two packs in a bit over a week, which was much less smoking than I had ever done. ..And,.. after smoking the last remaining cigarette, I magically never smoked again. It's been over a year and I can almost qualify as one who has no cravings because they are so, so rare (maybe once every four or five months) and they last for less than a nano-second. I'm so smoke free and amazed at two things: 1. How easy it was to stop because of the Zyban, and, 2. That I ever smoked at all - even though I did for 41 years. Other than being smart enough to finally get the prescription filled, I deserve no credit because there has been no need for any great will on my part. I have absolutely no cravings, no desires, no urges to have to will myself through. They simply don't happen.

 

Zyban review by 33 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   stop smoking
Dosage & duration:   2 times a day (dosage frequency: twice a day) for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   contraceptive pill
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   initally taken to stop smoking and the cravings did go but i still continued to smoke a few a day.
Side effects:   innsomnia every night . after 2 weeks had a severe allergic reaction itching hives and swelling of hands and eyes had to receive hospital treatment and taken off the drug.
Comments:   was prescribed after reaction zyrtec and prednisone

 

Zyban review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Smoking
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken twice a day for first 6 weeks for the period of 10 weeks
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I stopped smoking after one week of starting the treatment. I never picked up another cigarette. The cravings for the sensation of smoking, as well as the craving for nicotine were short and sharp, and lessened within a short period of time. I was able to sit with another smoker and not smoke ( or want to smoke) within one and a half weeks of stopping. Incidently I lost 4 - 5 Kgs within 4 weeks of taking the drug.
Side effects:   There was a feeling of complete disassociation from reality, people, feelings. I felt as if i was depressed. However at the same time I experienced times of being unable to control any emotions, my mood swings were extreme and I was completly unable to stop some fairly manic expressions of emotions. This could have been the nicotine withdrawal, but continued for a two - three month period. I stopped the drug about three weeks before prescribed as I became tired of the inability to feel happy / pleased / content. I experienced mild episodes of anxiety, vertigo and breathlessness - as I was aware these were side effects they did not overly concern me.
Comments:   I took one 150 mg tablet for seven days, stopped smoking on the sixth day. As prescribed I took one tablet twice a day for six weeks. After consulting the doctor over my cncerns of the side efeects I took one 150 mg tablet a day for the next four weeks.

 

Zyban review by 41 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   smoking
Dosage & duration:   150 mg taken twice daily for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   it has done its job and i am smoke free now for 10 weeks
Side effects:   had random dreams for about 1 week,the worst thing was not reading the side effects of drinking alcahol,on one accasion had very little to drink and was verry hung over next day not knowing if someone had spiked my drink, the second time when drinking with mates on the town totally blacked out and have no recolection of 5 to six hours of where i had been or what i had done and sleeping for nearly a day being so tired as though you have not slept for a week
Comments:   i have stopped taking them now and still not smoking but would warn all to be aware of what the side effects can be its been about 2 week off them now and still feel a bit panicky drowsy at times

 

Zyban review by 57 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Quit smoking
Dosage & duration:   2 tablets a day for 2 weeks taken 2 tablets a day for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   Depression
Other drugs taken:   Diazepam
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The treatment benefits were out of the window as i was prescribed to take diazepam whilst taking Zyban, Zyban advises you not to take Diazepam for instance as one of the contraindicated drugs.
Side effects:   I had experienced many profound side effects; starting with visual disturbances, sleeplessnes, weight loss, memory loss, major loss of appetite, irratable skin rashes, extreme anxiety, dehydration loss of motabilty & a severely nervous breakdown after three weeks resulting hospitallisation. I believe the damage caused is irreversable & would somehow like to know if anyone has came across anything like this in comparison & made any recovery.
Comments:   The treatment details were to help you gradually stop smoking but the drug orders you to not smoke whilst taking the drug to the daily limit from up to two weeks, this is an illogical instruction as you might aswell of not taken the drug.

 

Zyban review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   smoking cessation
Dosage & duration:   don't remember (dosage frequency: 2 months) for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   increased sex drive
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Had an abnormally increased sex drive and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer 8 months later. Makes me wonder what the hell was in this drug.
Side effects:   Increased sex drive followed by a breast cancer diagnosis
Comments:   What more is there to say. I had an unconquerable sex drive followed by a breast cancer diagnosis. Came on this website to see if others had the same problem. Haven't taken Zyban since and don't intend to. Scares the crap out of me. Call if coincidence if you will but I don't. Have been cancer free for 8 years. Call me paranoid if you want but I will never take this drug again. s

 

Zyban review by 28 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   to quit smoking
Dosage & duration:   don't recall (dosage frequency: 1 per day) for the period of 10 days
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none
Side effects:   My side effects were severe depression, and alteration in personality. Do not take this drug, the side effects can be severe. I had no previous issues with depression, and as soon as I started taking this drug, I developed severe depression, and changes in my personality. Thankfully, my family noticed a change, and advised me and told me to stop taking Zyban. It took 2 years to overcome the depression and over 3 years to begin to feel like myself again. Stay away from this drug! If you want to quit smoking, butt out and stick to your guns. I quit, and it wan't the Zyban. I have been smoke free for 10 years, and depression free for 7 or 8. Someone should consider a class-action suit against the company which produces this drug. Based on other reviews I have seen, I am not the only one who had these side effects.
Comments:   I took this drug to quit smoking. I am a female and was 28 years old at the time.

 

Zyban review by 47 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   stop smoking
Dosage & duration:   150mg taken twice a day for the period of 10 days
Other conditions:   diabetis
Other drugs taken:   metaformin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Not wanting a cigarette
Side effects:   This is the second time 3 yrs apart Ive had this drug.The first time no problems apart from a dry mouth and stopped smoking for 18months. This time as soon as I went onto two tablets a day severe mental problems,depression,shakes,insomnia,problems focusing,joint ache all pretty bad and all starting within a day of taking two tablets.I stopped straight away and the problems are slowly subsiding.
Comments:   Id recommend being very wary when moving onto 300mg a day.At the first sign of problems stop taking them.That said the first time I had no problems at all.
 


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