Zyban

Zyban is a prescription-only quit-smoking medication that you start while you’re still smoking, and then quit during treatment. It contains the active ingredient, bupropion hydrochloride and is a branded version of bupropion, which was originally used as an antidepressant until it was found that it could help people give up smoking.

Zyban works best alongside motivational support, such as a ‘stop smoking’ programme. Although it can help you quit, you must also be motivated to do so.

Zyban works by targeting the chemicals in your body associated with nicotine addiction, like dopamine and noradrenaline, enabling you to give up smoking more easily. Unlike nicotine replacement therapies, Zyban does not contain any nicotine. Instead, the active ingredient, bupropion, targets these chemicals to relieve the withdrawal symptoms you experience when you stop smoking and reduce nicotine cravings.

How long does Zyban last?

Usually, you will take Zyban for 7 to 9 weeks, and you will need to take it daily for as long as your treatment lasts.

How long does Zyban take to work?

Most people will quit smoking during the second week of Zyban treatment because it takes 1 week to achieve steady bupropion levels in your blood. However, it can take up to 7 weeks for you to feel the full effect of Zyban.

How effective is Zyban?

Zyban (bupropion) is an effective medication that helps around 20% of people successfully quit and remain non-smoking after 1 year. A systematic review of 19 clinical trials also found that buproprion doubles the chances of quitting compared to taking a placebo.

Zyban comes in pill form, and each pill should be swallowed whole, with or without food. It may be easier to take them with a glass of water. You should take Zyban doses at least 8 hours apart and not near bedtime, as it can disrupt your sleep.

How to take Zyban:

1. Start taking Zyban while you are still smoking.
2. Choose a target ‘stop smoking day’, usually during the second week of treatment.

Then follow the dosage schedule unless your doctor tells you otherwise:

• days 1 to 6 – take 1 Zyban tablet once a day
• day 7 – increase your dose to 1 tablet twice a day
• week 2 – continue taking 1 tablet twice a day and stop smoking this week on your chosen target day
• weeks 3 to 9 – continue taking 1 tablet twice a day for up to 9 weeks

If you have not quit smoking after 7 weeks of taking Zyban, your doctor will advise you to stop taking it. After 7 to 9 weeks, your doctor will likely tell you to gradually stop taking Zyban.

Zyban can cause some side effects, but not everyone will get them. Difficulty sleeping is a very common side effect that can affect more than 1 in 10 people.

Common side effects of Zyban include:

• feeling depressed, anxious, or agitated
• difficulty concentrating
• shakiness
• headache
• feeling or being sick
• taste changes
• dry mouth
• stomach upset or pain
• fever
• dizziness
• sweating
• skin rash or itching

Uncommon side effects include:

• vision changes
• ringing in the ears
• raised blood pressure
• flushing
• chest pain
• weakness
• confusion
• fast heartbeat

In rare cases, Zyban can cause:

• fits
• heart palpitations
• fainting
• irritability
• memory loss
• tingling or numbness
• severe skin rashes
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• peeing more or less than usual
• blood sugar level changes

You can find a full list of Zyban side effects in the patient information leaflet that is provided with your medication.

How long do Zyban side effects last?

Most mild Zyban side effects will improve within a few days or weeks as your body gets used to the medication. If you’re concerned about any side effects or are finding them difficult to manage, contact your doctor for further advice.

What to do if you get Zyban side effects

Most mild side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers for headaches, aches, and pains
• drinking plenty of fluids if you are sick or have a headache to prevent dehydration
• getting plenty of rest until you feel better
• eating, smaller, more frequent meals consisting of plain, bland foods if you feel or are sick

Rarely, Zyban can cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the following side effects, you should contact a doctor straight away, or in an emergency, call 999:

• fits (seizures)
• allergic reactions (skin rash, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swollen eyelids, lips, or tongue, joint pain, or collapse)
• lupus skin rash
• acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a severe but rare skin reaction

Do not take Zyban if you:

• are allergic to bupropion or any of its other ingredients
• are taking any bupropion-containing medication
• have a condition that causes fits
• have an eating disorder or have had one in the past
• have severe liver problems
• have a brain tumour
• usually drink lots of alcohol
• have recently stopped taking sedatives or anxiety medications
• have bipolar disorder
• are taking medications for depression or Parkinson’s disease called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Tell your doctor about any other conditions you are diagnosed with or are being investigated for before taking Zyban.

Zyban and other medications

Before taking Zyban, tell your doctor about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. You may have an increased chance of fits if you take Zyban with:

• medications for depression or other mental health problems
• theophylline for asthma or lung disease
• tramadol for pain
• malaria medications
• stimulants
• steroids
• quinolones
• some antihistamines
• diabetes medications

Some medications can affect how Zyban works or make it more likely that you’ll get side effects, including:

• medications to treat depression or other health problems
• Parkinson’s disease medications
• carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate
• those to treat cancer
• ticlopidine or clopidogrel
• beta blockers
• some medications that are used to treat an irregular heart rhythm
• ritonavir or efavirenz

Zyban can make some medications less effective, such as:

• tamoxifen to treat breast cancer
• digoxin for heart conditions

Zyban can be bought online from a trusted online service, or from your doctor. You’ll need to complete a consultation with a doctor or pharmacist, either online or in person, to get a prescription before you can buy it.

Can I buy Zyban online?

Yes, you can request Zyban online from Asda Online Doctor using our quick and discreet service. You will need to:

1. Complete a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Place your order.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

If you’re ready to quit smoking, our service allows you to get the treatment you need without a face-to-face appointment. This can make the first step in quitting easier. And if you need further advice or support, you can message a doctor through your account for free.

Can I buy Zyban over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Zyban over the counter at pharmacies, as it requires a prescription from a doctor. If you are looking for an over-the-counter smoking cessation aid, nicotine replacement therapy may be a suitable option.

Can I get Zyban on the NHS?

Yes, Zyban may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your GP or a smoking cessation clinic to find out if it is available and suitable for you to take.

Zyban is not the only quit-smoking aid available. Several alternatives are available, including over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies and prescription-only nicotine-free tablets. At Asda Online Doctor, we offer the following quit-smoking alternatives.

Cytisine

Cytisine tablets contain 1.5mg of cytisine and work by blocking the effect of nicotine in the brain, making smoking less enjoyable and reducing cravings. The standard course of treatment is 25 days. One study found that 40% of people given cytisine continued not smoking after 1 month compared to 31% given a placebo.

Varenicline

Varenicline tablets contain varenicline and work by binding to the nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce the good feeling you get when you smoke. It’s usually taken daily for 12 weeks with the dose gradually increasing over the course of treatment. Research shows that varenicline helps 44.4% of people quit smoking after 4 weeks. Varenicline was available under the brand name Champix, but it is no longer available.

Alternative therapies

Medication is not the only option available if you want to give up smoking.

Other options include:

• nicotine replacement, such as gum, patches, inhalers, and nasal sprays, which are available over the counter in most UK pharmacies and supermarkets
• e-cigarettes and vapes, usually taken by reducing your dose of nicotine over time, so that you can quit
• smoking support groups, which are recommended alongside other techniques