Zyban vs. Chantix

Zyban (bupropion) and Chantix (varenicline) are used for smoking cessation.

The Wellbutrin brand of bupropion is used to treat depression.

Zyban is an antidepressant and Chantix is a partial agonist selective for a4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

Side effects of Zyban and Chantix that are similar include dry mouth, sleep problems (insomnia), headache, nausea (may persist for several months with Chantix), stomach pain, and constipation.

Side effects of Zyban that are different from Chantix include agitation, dizziness, tremor, weight loss or gain, changes in appetite, ringing in your ears, loss of interest in sex, sore throat, muscle pain, itching or skin rash, increased sweating, and increased urination.

Seizures may also occur, especially at higher doses of Zyban.

Side effects of Chantix that are different from Zyban include indigestion, gas, vomiting, weakness, tiredness, unusual dreams, and unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Both Zyban and Chantix may interact with alcohol, theophylline, blood thinners, and insulin.

Zyban may also interact with heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, asthma medications or bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, oral diabetes medications, medicines for nausea/vomiting or motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria; medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor; medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, street drugs, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

Chantix may also interact with other medicines to quit smoking.

Chantix is not addictive and is not a controlled substance; however, some patients may experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and sleep disturbance if Chantix is abruptly discontinued.

Common side effects of Zyban include:

• agitation,
• dry mouth,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• constipation,
• tremor,
• insomnia,
• weight loss or gain,
• changes in appetite,
• ringing in your ears,
• loss of interest in sex,
• sore throat,
• muscle pain,
• itching or skin rash,
• increase sweating, or
• increased urination.

Seizures may also occur, especially at higher doses of Zyban. Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Zyban including:

• chest pain,
• fainting,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• irregular heartbeat,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, agitation, confusion, memory loss),
• muscle aches,
• ringing in the ears,
• severe headache,
• uncontrolled movements (tremor), or
• unusual weight loss or gain.

Common side effects of Chantix include:

• nausea (may persist for several months),
• stomach pain,
• indigestion,
• constipation,
• gas,
• vomiting,
• headaches,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• unusual dreams,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• headache, dry mouth, or
• unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Chantix is not addictive and is not a controlled substance; however, some patients may experience irritability and sleep disturbance if Chantix is abruptly discontinued. Patients may experience psychiatric symptoms such as behavioral changes, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal behavior while using Chantix. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Chantix including

• burning feeling in feet/toes, or
• unusual pain in the legs when walking.

Zyban (bupropion) is an antidepressant in the aminoketone drug class used for smoking cessation.

Chantix (varenicline) is a partial agonist selective for a4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes used for cessation of smoking.

Zyban may interact with medication used to prevent blood clots, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV or AIDS medication, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, asthma medications or bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, medicines for nausea/vomiting or motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria; medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor; medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, street drugs, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Zyban; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Zyban can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Zyban is not recommended.

Chantix may interact with other drugs.

The usual dose of Zyban is 150 to 450 mg daily.

The recommended dose of Chantix is 0.5 mg daily for 3 days followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days, then 1 mg twice daily for the remainder of the treatment period. Duration of therapy is 12 weeks. If treatment is successful, continue for an additional 12 weeks in order increase the chance of long-term abstinence.