Zyban

Because the chance of a seizure from Zyban rises with the amount in your system, never take more than one 150-milligram tablet at a time, and limit your total daily intake to 2 doses (300 milligrams).

A variety of conditions can predispose you to seizures, including:

Prior head injuries
Prior seizures
Central nervous system tumors
Cirrhosis of the liver
Too much alcohol
Abrupt withdrawal from alcohol, tranquilizers, or sedatives
Addiction to narcotics or cocaine
Use of over-the-counter stimulants or diet pills
Use of diabetes medications
Use of antidepressants, major tranquilizers, steroids, or theophylline

If any of these apply to you, use Zyban with care. If you do have a seizure while taking Zyban, stop taking the drug and never take it again.

Stop taking Zyban and call your doctor immediately if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing; notice swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat; develop swollen arms and legs; or break out with itchy eruptions. These are warning signs of a potentially severe allergic reaction.

If you have a liver or kidney condition, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Your dosage may need to be reduced. (If you have severe cirrhosis of the liver, your dosage must be reduced.) Also make certain the doctor knows about any heart condition you may have.

Zyban can interfere with your driving ability. Don't drive or operate dangerous machinery until you are certain of the drug's effect on you.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Zyban

If Zyban is used with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zyban with the following:

Alcohol
Amantadine (Symmetrel)
Antidepressants such as Norpramin, Pamelor, Paxil, Prozac, Tofranil, and Zoloft
Beta blockers (heart and blood pressure medications) such as Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Heart-stabilizing drugs such as Rythmol and Tambocor
Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet)
Major tranquilizers such as Haldol, Risperdal and Thorazine
MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Orphenadrine (Norflex)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Steroids such as prednisone and hydrocortisone
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair)
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Quitting smoking, with or without Zyban treatment, could change the way your body metabolizes certain drugs, for example, theophylline and warfarin. Make sure your doctor knows all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you're taking.