Zyban

If you smoke, you’ll understand the difficulties that come with quitting. Zyban is an NHS-approved treatment that aids smoking cessation. You will find a seven-week course of this medication makes it considerably easier to quit for good.

Zyban contains the antidepressant bupropion. Interestingly, the effects of this medication on smoking was first discovered in patients suffering from depression. During treatment, they experienced a significant decrease in the desire to smoke, as well as fewer withdrawal symptoms like:

• cravings
• irritability
• mood swings
• headaches

Zyban is also prescribed (under other names) to treat major depressive disorder. Off-label, it is prescribed for bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, 121doc currently only sells Zyban for smoking cessation.

As mentioned, Zyban contains the active ingredient bupropion. Bupropion encourages dopamine production in your brain, acting as a nicotine replacement.

What makes nicotine so addictive is this dopamine production. Dopamine is the happy hormone that is associated with pleasurable activities and successful tasks. It is a chemical that trains your brain to repeat behaviour, including a desire to continue smoking. By replicating the effect of nicotine and releasing more dopamine, bupropion replaces tobacco, helping you to reduce your smoking more easily.

By far, the more dangerous aspect of smoking is the cancer-inducing chemicals contained in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Taking bupropion temporarily is incredibly safe by comparison.

Another medication that works in a similar way is Champix. Champix contains varenicline, which also mirrors the effects of nicotine.

Zyban is easy to use as long as you follow the advice laid out in the patient information leaflet and the doctor’s dispensing instructions. If you are unsure, always contact a healthcare professional for clarification.

Different weeks of the course require different amounts of tablets to be taken.

• Week 1 - For days one to three, you should take a single 150mg tablet. For days four to six, you should take two tablets with an eight-hour break in between each one.
• Week 2 - You should continue to take two tablets. At some point this week, you should stop smoking - the day is up to you.
• Week 3 (and beyond) - You should continue to take two weeks until the end of your course.

If you are over 65 however, your dosage instructions are different. Take one 150mg tablet once daily for the entire treatment course - do not increase your dose.

If you exceed seven weeks of treatment and still feel you need to smoke, speak to your doctor - they may recommend another course.

If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose of Zyban - this will not make it more effective. Instead, continue as normal.

Do not stop a course halfway through if you feel like you don’t want to smoke any more. Cravings may return if a course is not completed.

The following are the most common side effects of Zyban - just because they are listed does not mean you will experience them:

• abdominal pain
• anxiety
• problems concentrating
• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fever
• gastrointestinal disorder
• headache
• hyperhidrosis
• hypersensitivity
• insomnia (if taken in the evenings)
• nausea
• vomiting
• skin reactions
• altered taste
• tremors

Depression and low mood are also possible side effects of Zyban. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any depressive or suicidal thoughts whilst using this medication.

For less common and rare side effects, please consult the patient information leaflet (PIL). The PIL is available on this page as a PDF and is included with all orders from 121doc.

An allergic reaction is also a possible side effect of any medication. Signs include difficulty breathing, rashes and swelling of the face, throat and mouth. If any of these occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Unfortunately, not everyone can use Zyban. It may cause complications in pre-existing medical conditions and other medications can interact badly, resulting in side effects.

If any of the following apply, you should consider other treatment:

• you are allergic to any of the medication’s ingredients*
• you are already taking medicine containing bupropion
• you suffer from seizures or have a history of epilepsy
• you have a tumor affecting your central nervous system (CNS)
• you are a recovering alcoholic
• you are taking medication that increases the risk of seizures
• you have a history of eating disorders
• you have severe hepatic cirrhosis (liver disease)
• you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• you have a history of bipolar disorder

* A full list of ingredients can be found in the PIL.

Do not be tempted to take more Zyban than you are prescribed. Overuse of a medication will not make it more effective. However, side effects will be more likely to occur.

Please note - the following risk factors may increase the chance of you experiencing seizures when using Zyban. It is important that your doctor monitors your reaction to the medication if you:

• have a history of head trauma
• have a history of alcoholism
• abuse stimulants
• use insulin

As Zyban is also prescribed as an antidepressant, you should report any emotional distress to your doctor, including depressed and elated moods.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive, speak to your doctor before using this treatment.

121doc provides a much-needed doctor and pharmacy service. Order the medication you need after completing a quick and confidential consultation.

During the consultation, which is an online form, you will need to detail your medical history, how much you smoke, and the answers to a number of smoking-related questions. Our doctors will review your answers, before sending a prescription to our pharmacy. Our pharmacy will then dispense and package your order. The entire process from order to delivery (if ordered before the cutoff time) will take under 24 hours.