Wellbutrin vs. Chantix

• Are Chantix and Wellbutrin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Wellbutrin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Chantix?
• What is Wellbutrin?
• What is Chantix?
• What Drugs Interact with Wellbutrin?
• What Drugs Interact with Chantix?
• How Should Wellbutrin Be Taken?
• How Should Chantix Be Taken?

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant used for the management of major depression and seasonal affective disorder and Chantix (varenicline) is used for cessation of smoking. The Zyban brand of bupropion is used similarly to Chantix to help people stop smoking by reducing cravings and other withdrawal effects.

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

• agitation,
• dry mouth,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• dizziness,
• ringing in the ears,
• vision problems or blurred vision,
• loss of interest in sex,
• sore throat,
• muscle pain,
• itching or skin rash,
• increased sweating,
• increased urination,
• tremor,
• changes in appetite,
• weight loss or gain,
• joint aches,
• strange taste in the mouth,
• diarrhea, and
• seizures (especially at higher doses).

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.

Wellbutrin is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder.

Chantix is a prescription medicine to help people stop smoking.

Quitting smoking can lower your chances of having lung disease, heart disease or getting certain types of cancer that are related to smoking.

It is not known if CHANTIX is safe and effective in children.

It is not known if CHANTIX is safe and effective when used with other stop smoking medicines.

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

Chantix may interact with insulin, blood thinners, and asthma medications.

• Take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Wellbutrin without talking with your healthcare provider first.
• Swallow Wellbutrin tablets whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush Wellbutrin tablets.
• Take Wellbutrin at the same time each day.
• Take your doses of Wellbutrin at least 6 hours apart.
• You may take Wellbutrin with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for the dose you missed. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. This is very important. Too much Wellbutrin can increase your chance of having a seizure.
• If you take too much Wellbutrin, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
• Do not take any other medicines while taking Wellbutrin unless your healthcare provider has told you it is okay.
• If you are taking Wellbutrin for the treatment of major depressive disorder, it may take several weeks for you to feel that Wellbutrin is working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you do not feel Wellbutrin is working for you.

There are 3 ways that you can use CHANTIX to help you quit smoking. Talk to your healthcare provider about the following 3 ways to use CHANTIX:

• Choose a quit date when you will stop smoking. Start taking CHANTIX 1 week (7 days) before your quit date. Take CHANTIX for 12 weeks.
• OR
• Start taking CHANTIX before you choose a quit date. Pick a date to quit smoking that is between days 8 and 35 of treatment. Take CHANTIX for 12 weeks.
• OR
• If you are sure that you are not able or willing to quit smoking right away, start taking CHANTIX and reduce smoking during the first 12 weeks of treatment, as follows: