Skip to main content

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack)

Generic name: bupropion [ byoo-PRO-pee-on ]
Brand names: Aplenzin, BuPROPion (Eqv-Wellbutrin SR), BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack), Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL
Drug classes: Miscellaneous antidepressants, Smoking cessation agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 3, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack)?

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. The Zyban brand of BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) is used to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, itching, fever, swollen glands, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, 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.

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) if you have seizures or an eating disorder, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol, seizure medication, or sedatives. If you take Wellbutrin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking.

Do not use BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

Do not use an MAO inhibitor within 14 days before or 14 days after you take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack). A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Do not take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) for depression, do not also take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) to quit smoking.

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) may cause seizures, especially if you have certain medical conditions or use certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. It is not known whether BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) will harm an unborn baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack)?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.

You may take BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) with or without food.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You should not change your dose or stop using BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) suddenly, unless you have a seizure while taking this medicine. Stopping suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack).

If you take Zyban to help you stop smoking, you may continue to smoke for about 1 week after you start the medicine. Set a date to quit smoking during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble quitting after taking Zyban for 7 to 12 weeks.

Your doctor may prescribe a nicotine replacement product (such as patches or gum) to help you stop smoking. Start using the nicotine replacement product on the same day you stop (quit) smoking or using tobacco products.

Some people taking BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) (Wellbutrin or Zyban) have had high blood pressure that is severe, especially when also using a nicotine replacement product (patch or gum). Your blood pressure may need to be checked before and during treatment with BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack).

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

You may have nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking, including: increased appetite, weight gain, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, slower heart rate, having the urge to smoke, and feeling anxious, restless, depressed, angry, frustrated, or irritated. These symptoms may occur with or without using medication such as Zyban.

Smoking cessation may also cause new or worsening mental health problems, such as depression.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack).

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include muscle stiffness, hallucinations, fast or uneven heartbeat, shallow breathing, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking bupropion?

Drinking alcohol with BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) may increase your risk of seizures. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) can also cause seizures in a regular drinker who suddenly stops drinking at the start of treatment with BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack).

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack) will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What other drugs will affect BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack)?

You may have a higher risk of seizures if you use certain other medicines while taking BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack).

Many drugs can affect BuPROPion (Eqv-Zyban Advantage Pack). This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

You may notice an improvement in your sleep, energy and appetite in the first week or two of taking Wellbutrin and this can be an important sign that the drug is working. But, like other antidepressants, improvements in your mood or motivation may take 6 to 8 weeks to develop. Continue reading

Auvelity worked significantly better than Wellbutrin (bupropion) at relieving symptoms of depression in a small randomized double-blind, parallel trial that lasted for 6 weeks. It also had a faster onset of effect, with improvement in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score being observed as early as week 1 and differences being statistically significant by week 2. Continue reading

Both Auvelity and Wellbutrin are effective for depression but a small RCT (n=80) reported that Auvelity worked significantly better than Wellbutrin and took less time to start working. 43 people prescribed Auvelity experienced an overall decrease in their Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of 13.7 points after 6 weeks compared to a decrease of 8.8 points in the 37 people prescribed bupropion (least-squares mean difference=-4.9; 95% CI=-3.1, -6.8). Continue reading

View more FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.