WELLBUTRIN XL (Brand for BUPROPION XL)

BUPROPION (byoo PROE pee on) treats depression. It increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, substances that help regulate mood. It belongs to a group of medications called NDRIs.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not crush, chew, or cut these tablets. This medication is taken once daily at the same time each day. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly except upon the advice of your care team. Stopping this medication too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Linezolid
-MAOIs, such as Azilect, Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-Methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-Other medications that contain bupropion, such as Zyban
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alcohol
-Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
-Certain medications for blood pressure, such as metoprolol, propranolol
-Certain medications for HIV or AIDS, such as efavirenz, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir
-Certain medications for irregular heartbeat, such as propafenone, flecainide
-Certain medications for mental health conditions
-Certain medications for Parkinson disease, such as amantadine, levodopa
-Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
-Cimetidine
-Clopidogrel
-Cyclophosphamide
-Digoxin
-Furazolidone
-Isoniazid
-Nicotine
-Orphenadrine
-Procarbazine
-Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
-Stimulant medications for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
-Tamoxifen
-Theophylline
-Thiotepa
-Ticlopidine
-Tramadol
-Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed.
This medication may cause thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.
This medication may cause mood and behavior changes, such as anxiety, nervousness, irritability, hostility, restlessness, excitability, hyperactivity, or trouble sleeping. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Avoid drinks that contain alcohol while taking this medication. Drinking large amounts of alcohol, using sleeping or anxiety medications, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medication may increase your risk for a seizure.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Do not take this medication close to bedtime. It may prevent you from sleeping.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
The tablet shell for some brands of this medication does not dissolve. This is normal. The tablet shell may appear whole in the stool. This is not a cause for concern.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next tablet at the regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
-Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
-Increase in blood pressure
-Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
-Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-Seizures
-Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
-Constipation
-Dizziness
-Dry mouth
-Loss of appetite
-Nausea
-Tremors or shaking
-Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.