Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended Release - XL

Patient Drug Information
Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended Release - XL 

This medication also comes with a medication guide. 

About your medication: Written information about this prescription has been provided for you. Please read this information before you take this medication. If you have questions concerning this prescription, a pharmacist is available during normal business hours to answer these questions.

Important Information about your prescription: 

This medication should only be taken by the patient whose name appears on the prescription label.

Bupropion Hydrochloride (HCL) XL/ER  is a Dopamine/Norepinephrine-Reuptake Inhibitor and antidepressant FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder.

• Bupropion’s most common side effects are dizziness, headache, nausea, decreased appetite, shakiness, excitability or nervousness, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, eye pain, vision changes, and dry mouth. Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms such as fast heartbeat, skin rashes, or signs of high blood pressure including very bad headaches, dizziness, or changes in your vision.

Precautions and contraindications 

• Do not take this medication if you are allergic to any of the components.
• This medication may increase the chance of seizures. Do not take if you have a seizure disorder or a condition that increases seizure risk such as severe head injury, stroke, anorexia or bulimia, brain tumor, or infection. Do not abruptly stop alcohol or benzodiazepines while taking bupropion.
• Bupropion may affect your alcohol tolerance. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication.
• Bupropion is associated with an increased chance of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Contact your doctor right away if you experience eye pain, swelling, or redness in or around the eye.
• Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, and/or other tasks that require you to be alert with clear vision until you know how bupropion affects you.
• Do not take with medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or within 14 days of taking an MAOI. This precaution also applies to the antibiotic linezolid and the diagnostic agent methylene blue.
• Patients with a history of bariatric surgery may not realize the full effects of bupropion extended release. Notify your provider if you have had or plan to have bariatric surgery.
• Bupropion may increase your blood pressure. Monitor your blood pressure as directed by your provider.
• Do not abruptly stop taking this medication without contacting your provider. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If stopping this medication, you will want to slowly decrease the dose as directed by your provider.
• Check with your prescriber or pharmacist before starting any new supplements, vitamins, or medications. Please be sure you report all supplements, vitamins, and medications you are taking as drug interactions may occur. Contact your pharmacist or medical provider if you have additional concerns or questions.
• Bupropion and its metabolites cross the placenta and are present in breastmilk. Notify your provider to discuss treatment options if your pregnancy status changes.
• This medication may affect certain lab tests. Notify all of your healthcare providers that you take this medication.
• You may notice a tablet fragment in your stool. This is common when taking the extended release version of the medication.
• Please note that it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication. 

Directions for Use 

• Refer to your prescription label for your prescriber’s directions and recommended dose and frequency.
• Bupropion is typically taken by mouth once daily, with or without food, or as directed by your prescriber.
• Swallow the medication entirely. Do not crush, chew, break, or dissolve.
• If you have trouble sleeping, do not take this medication too close to bedtime. It is best to take this medication in the morning. 

Missed Dose

• If you miss a dose of the medication, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose.
• Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose. 

Storage 

• Store your medication at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) in the packaging provided by the pharmacy until you need it. Keep out of reach of children.
• Under certain circumstances a prescription drug’s effectiveness may be affected by exposure to extremes of heat, cold, or humidity.

Disposal of Medications

• Do not flush unused medication down the toilet or pour in the sink or drain. Dispose according to local regulations.

Additional Information 

• If you have questions about your medication, please contact the pharmacy using the number on the label of your prescription product.

Questions
This written information may not cover all possible information. If you have any questions, talk to your pharmacist or medical provider.

A local or a toll-free telephone service is available, staffed by registered pharmacists, to answer questions about your medication. You can find the number for the pharmacy on the label of your prescription product.

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