Warnings


What may interact with Aplenzin?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-linezolid
-MAOIs like Azilect, Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-other medicines that contain bupropion like Zyban

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for blood pressure like metoprolol, propranolol
-certain medicines for depression or psychotic disturbances
-certain medicines for HIV or AIDS like efavirenz, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat like propafenone, flecainide
-certain medicines for Parkinson''s disease like amantadine, levodopa
-certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
-cimetidine
-clopidogrel
-cyclophosphamide
-digoxin
-furazolidone
-isoniazid
-nicotine
-orphenadrine
-procarbazine
-steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
-stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
-tamoxifen
-theophylline
-thiotepa
-ticlopidine
-tramadol
-warfarin

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Aplenzin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
-bipolar disorder or psychosis
-diabetes or high blood sugar, treated with medication
-glaucoma
-head injury or brain tumor
-heart disease, previous heart attack, or irregular heart beat
-high blood pressure
-kidney or liver disease
-seizures (convulsions)
-suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
-Tourette''s syndrome
-weight loss
-an unusual or allergic reaction to bupropion, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-breast-feeding
-pregnant or trying to become pregnant

What should I watch for while using Aplenzin?

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or healthcare provider for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider 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. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your healthcare provider.

Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking this medicine. Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages, using sleeping or anxiety medicines, or quickly stopping the use of these agents while taking this medicine may increase your risk for a seizure.

Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can impair your ability to perform these tasks.

Do not take this medicine 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 doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

The tablet shell for some brands of this medicine does not dissolve. This is normal. The tablet shell may appear whole in the stool. This is not a cause for concern.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.