Bupropion XL: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Bupropion XL is indicated for the treatment of depression and seasonal affective disorder. In order for the drug to be effective, the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the doctor when using the drug.

1. What is Bupropion?

Bupropion XL is used to treat depression. This medication is also used to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This type of depression occurs on an annual cycle, usually during the fall or winter, at other times the person recovers as usual. Bupropion works by helping to balance certain natural substances in the brain such as dopamine, norepinephrine, thereby helping patients improve their mood and feel more comfortable.
Before use, the patient should carefully read the instructions for use on the drug label. Bupropion XL is usually used as follows:
The drug is usually taken once a day in the morning, it can be taken with or without food, depending on the doctor's instructions. To help you not forget when to take your medicine and to keep the concentration of the medicine stable in your body, take it at the same time of day. In addition, take the medicine regularly as directed by your doctor to achieve the most effective treatment. Swallow the tablet whole with a large glass of water, and do not crush or chew it, especially if it is an extended-release formulation. Because Bupropion XL is an extended-release tablet, when chewed or crushed, a large amount of the active ingredient will be released at the same time, there will be a high risk of side effects. The dose of Bupropion used will be considered by the doctor based on the patient's health status, liver function and response to treatment. To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may start with a low dose and then gradually increase your dose. Patients should not arbitrarily increase the dose of the drug or use the drug for a longer time than directed by the doctor. Taking a higher dose of the drug will not make the patient's condition improve faster, on the contrary, it will increase the risk of side effects. Patients should not suddenly stop taking their medication without consulting their doctor. To ensure safety, the dose of the drug used for the patient can be gradually reduced before stopping the drug completely.

Patients may have to take the drug continuously for 4 weeks or longer to feel the effect of the drug. Tell your doctor if you take medicine but your condition does not improve or gets worse.

2. Bupropion XL . side effects

When using Bupropion XL, patients may experience side effects such as dry mouth, sore throat, dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, trouble sleeping, increased secretions sweat, shiver. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects persist or become severe.
Bupropion can increase blood pressure, so while using it, check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Some other serious side effects that can occur when taking Bupropion include:
Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat Mental changes, anxiety, agitation, confusion, thoughts , abnormal behavior, memory loss Unusual weight gain or weight loss Patients should immediately notify their doctor if they experience the above symptoms. In particular, patients should stop taking Bupropion and seek medical attention immediately if they have any of the following symptoms: convulsions, eye pain, eye swelling, eye redness, pupil dilation, vision changes (eg, the patient's vision changes). see rainbow around lights at night, blurred vision,...).
Serious allergic reactions to Bupropion are very rare, but the consequences can be life-threatening. Patients should be taken to medical facilities immediately if they have symptoms of a severe drug allergy such as a rash; itching, swelling (especially in the face, tongue, throat); soreness in the mouth and/or around the eyes; dizzy; shortness of breath,...

3. Be careful when using Bupropion

Before using Bupropion, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
Have a history of allergy to Bupropion or have any other allergies to drugs or foods. You have a history of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, alcoholism, seizures, or conditions that increase the risk of seizures such as brain injury, brain tumor, etc. Having an eating disorder such as bulimia, anorexia. Individuals or families with a history of glaucoma. Based on the patient's condition, the doctor will adjust the prescription accordingly.
Bupropion XL should not be used if you suddenly stop using sedatives (such as benzodiazepines, lorazepam, ...), anticonvulsants, alcohol because this can increase the risk of seizures.

Bupropion XL can make you dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you regain consciousness. Drinking alcohol after taking the drug can increase dizziness and increase the risk of seizures, so alcohol and other alcoholic beverages should be avoided after taking the drug.
The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially dizziness and increased memory loss. Dizziness may increase the risk of falls in the elderly.
If the patient is pregnant, use the drug only when absolutely necessary and prescribed by the doctor. The drug can pass into breast milk and cause unwanted effects on a nursing infant, so consult your doctor while breastfeeding.

4. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can change the action of the drug or increase the risk of serious side effects. Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicines, dietary supplements, etc. Your doctor will check for possible interactions. may occur before prescribing to limit the risk of drug interactions for patients. Do not use, stop taking, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
Some drugs can interact with Bupropion XL such as Codeine, Pimozide, Tamoxifen. MAO inhibitors (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) when co-administered with bupropion can cause serious drug interactions, potentially fatal to humans. sick. Therefore, MAO inhibitors should not be used for two weeks before and after treatment with Bupropion XL.
Bupropion may change certain tests and tests such as brain scans for Parkinson's disease, testing for amphetamines in the urine, etc. Tell lab staff and your doctor while you are using Bupropion. .

5. Some other notes when using Bupropion XL

5.1. Treatment of drug overdose When overdosing on the drug, the patient may experience serious symptoms such as convulsions, severe confusion, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing. Please take the patient to the nearest medical facility for timely emergency treatment.
In addition to taking Bupropion, the patient needs to have a follow-up examination according to the doctor's appointment. Your doctor may order a number of tests to monitor your progress in treatment and detect side effects early.
5.2. What to do if you miss a dose? If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the same time as the bottle. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

5.3. Storage of the drug Store Bupropion XL at room temperature, away from moisture and light. Do not store medicine in the bathroom. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children to be safe. Bupropion XL is indicated for the treatment of depression and seasonal affective disorder. To ensure safety and avoid side effects, patients should carefully read the instructions before use or follow the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist.
With many years of experience in the examination and treatment of diseases, now Vinmec International General Hospital has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining, screening and treating diseases. treat many serious diseases. Therefore, when there are signs of abnormal health, patients can go to the examination, diagnose the disease and receive advice on how to use the drug effectively, avoiding unwanted side effects.

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Reference source: webmd.com