The American Heart Association estimates that 23.1 percent of men and 18.3 percent of women in the United States smoke. Smoking can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke and cancer. Fortunately, many treatment options exist for people who wish to quit smoking. Wellbutrin, a prescription antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in helping people refrain from smoking.
Effectiveness
In a study conducted by the Oregon Health Science Center, 27 percent of participants taking the extended-release form of Wellbutrin remained abstinent from smoking during weeks four through seven of the study. Only 5 percent of patients receiving a placebo remained abstinent during this time. Twelve percent of participants remained smoke-free through the sixth month of the study compared to 2 percent of patients who received placebo.
Dosage
To quit smoking, MayoClinic.com states, a person would usually take 150 milligrams of Wellbutrin per day for three days; a doctor can then increase the dosage if needed. However, a person would usually not exceed 300 milligrams a day. To decrease the risk of seizures, doses of Wellbutrin should be taken eight hours apart.
Proper Use
The Stop Smoking Foundation states that a person can continue to smoke for one week after starting Wellbutrin. A person should set a date to quit smoking during the second week after taking Wellbutrin. By the second week a person should have enough Wellbutrin in his blood stream to help him quit smoking.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Wellbutrin include changes in appetite, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sweating, nausea, restlessness and sleep problems. Common side effects are usually not life-threatening, and may lessen or disappear as a person's body adjusts to the medication. Severe side effects of Wellbutrin include allergic reactions, vision changes, fainting, changes in heart rhythm, mental changes, vomiting, anxiety, restlessness, shortness of breath and tremor. Drugs.com recommends seeking medical attention immediately if serious side effects occur. Wellbutrin should not be taken by a person with a history of a seizure disorder or eating disorder because of the risk of seizures.
FDA Warning
In July of 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the manufacturers of Wellbutrin to place a boxed warning on the drug and to develop new patient information guides to warn patients and health-care providers of serious neuropsychiatric symptoms that can occur in some patients. Symptoms include agitation, aggression, depressed mood, hostility and suicidal thinking. The warning includes people who have a history of mental illness as well as people who do not have a history of psychiatric disorders. The FDA warned that a doctor should advise a patient to quit taking Wellbutrin if she experiences any change in mood or behavior.
References
- Stop Smoking Foundation: Using Wellbutrin to Stop Smoking
- MayoClinic.com: Bupropion (Oral Route)
- Drugs.com: Wellbutrin Side Effects
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Information for Healthcare Providers: Varenicline and Bupropion
- "Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Bupropion SR as an Aid to Smoking Cessation In Smokers Previously Treated With Bupropion; D.H. Gonzales et al.; June 2001
