Milton Keynes Stop Smoking Service
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 and is only
prescribed to patients who cannot take Champix. It is extremely important if you are
on any medication or have had any serious health issues at any time that you discuss
with your doctor or Stop Smoking Advisor your suitability for Zyban treatment.
Most patients find that whilst on Zyban they lose the enjoyment previously
experienced when smoking. Evidence shows that patients who meet with their Stop
Smoking advisor regularly are more successful at quitting long term. Failure to attend
regularly may also result in the treatment being terminated early.
If you are going to start taking Zyban:

Tell your Stop Smoking Advisor or doctor if you have ever had any kind of fit or
convulsion or unexplained blackout.

Tell your Stop Smoking Advisor or doctor if you are taking any other medicines,
either prescribed by your doctor or bought without a prescription.
Directions for use:

One 150mg tablet to be taken once a day, take with water and do not cut, crush
or chew as this can increase the risk of side effects, for the first 6 days of your
treatment course.

From day 7 take one 150mg tablet twice a day for the remainder of the course.
Leave 8 hours between tablets.

Your Advisor will advise how long you will be on the course of treatment; most
patients will need to be on Zyban for 7-9 weeks to successfully quit smoking for
good.

You keep smoking for the first 7 – 10 days but will set a quit date with your
advisor during the second week of treatment.
Do not take more than 2 tablets a day and never take more than one at a time.
If you forget to take a tablet do not take 2 later in the day, just carry on the treatment
as planned.
If upon starting Zyban if you find that you feel unwell/ have side effects when the
dosage is increased consult your doctor or contact your Stop Smoking Advisor. It may
be that you require a lower strength dosage.
CAUTIONS:
Certain medicines can interact with Zyban and it may be necessary to reduce the
dosage of your Zyban for the length of your treatment. Advise your Stop Smoking
Advisor or doctor before you start the course if any of the following apply to you:
Epileptic, previous seizures
Previous head injury
Eating disorders
Liver disease or problems
Suffer from depression/ take antidepressants
Bipolar disorder
You may not be able to take it with any of the following medication:
 Anti-malarial medicines e.g. chloroquine, proguanil
 Certain anti-histamines; some are used for sleep problems e.g. Piriton,
Dimotane, Nytol or Panadol Night
 Medicines to treat depression or medicines to treat other mental illness e.g.
Clozapine, Risperidone, Thioridazine or Olanzapine
 Theophylline, which is a medicine used to treat chest conditions such as
asthma.
 Steroids taken as tablets or injections e.g. Prednisolone
 Certain antibiotics e.g. Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin or Norfloxacin)
 Tramadol, a strong pain killer
 Slimming medicines or other stimulant medicines Drinking alcohol is not
advised whilst on Zyban, avoid totally if possible.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you must not take Zyban.
Do not use any type of Nicotine Replacement products (patches, gum, lozenges,
mouth spray, etc.) whilst taking Zyban.
Do not start to take any new medicines whilst on Zyban without informing your Stop
Smoking Advisor or doctor first.
Should you feel unwell whilst taking Zyban please seek medical advice as soon as
possible.
This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not
drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are
sure it won't affect your performance.
The main side effects may include: dry mouth, headache, insomnia, rash,
dizziness, agitation, depression, taste disorder, constipation, nausea and vomiting and
tremor.
Other less common side effects include: ringing in the ears, disturbance of vision,
faster heart beat, confusion, chest pain, raised blood pressure and seizures. The risk
of seizure is 1:1000.