Aplenzin

Aplenzin

Generic Name: bupropion (byoo PRO pee on)

Brand Names: Aplenzin, Budeprion, Wellbutrin, Zyban

What is Aplenzin?

Aplenzin (bupropion) is an antidepressant medication.

Aplenzin is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder. It is supplied as an extended-release tablet.

Aplenzin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Aplenzin

Do not take Aplenzin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. You should not take Aplenzin 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.

Aplenzin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant such as Aplenzin, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Aplenzin. It may increase your risk of seizures.

Before taking Aplenzin

Do not take Aplenzin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

You should not take Aplenzin if you have:

epilepsy or a seizure disorder;

an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia;

if you are using a second form of bupropion; or

if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives (such as Valium).

Aplenzin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.

If you have any of these other conditions, your doctor may need to adjust your Aplenzin dosage or order special tests:

a history of head injury, seizures, or brain or spinal cord tumor;

heart disease, high blood pressure, history of heart attack;

kidney disease;

liver disease (especially cirrhosis);

bipolar disorder (manic depression);

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant such as Aplenzin, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment with Aplenzin.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Aplenzin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Bupropion passes into breast milk and could be harmful to a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Aplenzin. Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

See also: Aplenzin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Aplenzin?

Take Aplenzin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Aplenzin can be taken with or without food. Take Aplenzin at the same time each day. Take your doses of Aplenzin at least 24 hours apart.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the tablets whole. Breaking the tablet may cause too much bupropion to be released at one time, which could increase side effects including seizures.

Do not stop taking Aplenzin without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

The Aplenzin tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.

Store Aplenzin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Aplenzin dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking Aplenzin?

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of seizures. If you drink alcohol regularly, talk with your doctor before changing the amount you drink. Aplenzin can cause seizures in people who drink a lot of alcohol and then suddenly quit drinking when they start using the medication.

Avoid using bupropion to treat more than one condition at a time. If you take Aplenzin for depression, do not also take Zyban to quit smoking. Too much of this medicine can increase your risk of a seizure.

Aplenzin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Aplenzin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Aplenzin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while taking Aplenzin such as:

seizure (convulsions);

severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling;

confusion, trouble concentrating; or

hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.

Less serious Aplenzin side effects may include:

headache or migraine;

sleep problems (insomnia);

nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth;

dizziness, tremors (shaking);

appetite changes, weight loss or gain;

mild itching or skin rash, increased sweating; or

loss of interest in sex.

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.

See also: Aplenzin side effects (in more detail)

Aplenzin Dosing Information

Usual Adult Aplenzin Dose for Depression:

Extended release tablets:

Initial dose: 174 mg orally once a day in the morning (equivalent to 150 mg bupropion HCl).

Maintenance dose: After at least 4 days, the dose may be increased to 348 mg once a day (equivalent to 300 mg bupropion HCl). If there is not adequate improvement after several weeks, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 522 mg once a day in the morning (equivalent to 450 mg bupropion HCl).

What other drugs will affect Aplenzin?

Many drugs can interact with Aplenzin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

medication used to prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticlopidine (Ticlid), tirofiban (Aggrastat);

cancer medicine such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil), irinotecan (Camptosar), or thiotepa (Thioplex);

heart or blood pressure medication such as atenolol (Tenormin), flecainide (Tambocor), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propafenone (Rythmol), propranolol (Inderal), and others; or

HIV or AIDS medication such as lopinavir or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with Aplenzin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you. You may have a higher risk of seizures if you use certain medications together with Aplenzin. Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

any other antidepressant, or a medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

antihistamines that make you sleepy;

asthma medications or bronchodilators;

birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens;

bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Urotrol);

antibiotics such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cephalexin (Keflex), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin), penicillin, and others;

diet pills, a stimulant, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin;

insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness;

medications to treat or prevent malaria;

medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma);

medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;

narcotic pain medication;

a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), and others;

a steroid such as prednisone, and others;

street drugs such as "speed" or cocaine;

theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl Theolair, Respbid); or

ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

More Aplenzin resources

Aplenzin Side Effects (in More Detail)

Aplenzin Dosage

Aplenzin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Aplenzin Drug Interactions

Aplenzin Support Group

7 Reviews for Aplenzin - Add your own review/rating

Aplenzin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Aplenzin Extended-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Aplenzin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Budeprion XL Prescribing Information (FDA)

Bupropion Prescribing Information (FDA)

Bupropion Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Bupropion MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Bupropion Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)

Wellbutrin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Wellbutrin SR Prescribing Information (FDA)

Wellbutrin SR Sustained-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Wellbutrin XL Prescribing Information (FDA)

Wellbutrin XL Extended-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Zyban Prescribing Information (FDA)

Zyban Sustained-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Aplenzin with other medications

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Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Aplenzin.