ZYBAN - INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

As with all medicines Zyban is associated with certain side effects, these have to be carefully weighed up against the known health benefits of stopping smoking. Zyban may not be suitable for all patients who wish to stop smoking. It is extremely important that you discuss with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical history, your suitability for Zyban treatment. If you are going to start taking Zyban:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had a fit or convulsion or unexplained blackout.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, either those prescribed by your doctor or those bought without a prescription.
When starting Zyban one tablet to be taken once a day for the first 6 days of your treatment course, then one tablet twice a day for the rest of the treatment course. Do not take more than one tablet at any one time and not more than two tablets in a day.

If you are currently taking Zyban:

If you have started Zyban on the original schedule, increasing the dose on day 4, and feel well, you should continue.
There are certain medicines and medical conditions where it may be necessary that your dose of Zyban is reduced. Tell your doctor or pharmacist:

if you have any of the following medical conditions:

If you have ever had a head injury
If you have diabetes that needs to be treated with insulin or other medicines
If you drink heavily

if you are taking any of the following medicines:

Anti-malarial medicines (for example, chloroquine, proguanil)
Certain antihistamines some of which may be used for sleep problems (for example, Piriton, Dimotane, Nytol or Panadol Night)
Medicines to treat depression or medicines to treat other mental illness (for example clozapine, risperidone, thioridazine or olanzapine)
Theophylline, which is a medicine used to treat chest conditions such as asthma
Steroids taken as tablets or injections (for example, prednisolone)
Certain antibiotics (for example, ofloxacin, levofloxacin or norfloxacin)
Tramadol, which is a strong pain killer
Slimming medicines or other stimulant medicines

While you are taking Zyban it is very important to tell your doctor or pharmacist before you take any new medicines.

Please read the Zyban Patient Information Leaflet carefully.
Patients may ring NHS Direct on 08 45 46 47 for further information.

Adapted from the Committee on Safety in Medicines publication