Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few months of treatment with BUPROPION. The amount of bupropion you take may have to be changed often to meet the needs of your condition and to help avoid unwanted effects.

Do not take bupropion within 14 days of taking an MAO inhibitor.

Bupropion may cause some people to be agitated, irritable or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away.

Bupropion is sold under different brand names for different uses. If you are already taking medicine for mental depression or to help you stop smoking, discuss this with your health care professional before taking bupropion. It is very important that you receive only one prescription for bupropion at a time.

Drinking of alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided, if possible, while taking bupropion. This will help prevent seizures.

BUPROPION may cause some people to feel a false sense of well-being, or to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to BUPROPION before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and clearheaded.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Agitation;  anxiety 
  
  

• Less common
  • Buzzing or ringing in ears;  headache (severe);  skin rash, hives, or itching 
  
  

• Rare
  • Confusion;  extreme distrust;  fainting;  false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts;  hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there);  seizures (convulsions), especially with higher doses;  trouble in concentrating  
  
  

• Incidence not determined
  • Actions that are out of control;  anger ;  assault;  attack;  being impulsive;  chest pain or discomfort ;  fast or pounding heartbeat;  force;  inability to sit still;  irritability;  need to keep moving;  nervousness;  restlessness;  sweating;  talking, feeling, and acting with excitement  
  
  

• Symptoms of overdose--may be more severe than side effects seen at regular doses, or two or more may occur together
  • Fast heartbeat;  hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there);  loss of consciousness ;  nausea;  seizures (convulsions) ;  vomiting 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Abdominal pain;  constipation;  decrease in appetite;  dizziness;  dryness of mouth;  increased sweating ;  nausea or vomiting;  trembling or shaking;  trouble in sleeping;  weight loss (unusual) 
  
  

• Less common
  • Blurred vision;  change in sense of taste ;  drowsiness;  feeling of fast or irregular heartbeat;  frequent need to urinate ;  muscle pain;  sore throat ;  unusual feeling of well-being 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.