Smokingdosage

Starting dose: 150 mg per day for first 3 days.

General: Increase dose gradually to reduce seizure risk. Begin dosing one week before quit day. After 3 days, increase the dose to 300 mg per day, given as 150 mg twice daily at an interval of at least 8 hours. May be used with a nicotine transdermal system. Moderate to severe hepatic impairment: 150 mg every other day.

Mild hepatic impairment: Consider reducing the dose and/or frequency of dosing.

Renal impairment: Consider reducing the dose and/or frequency.

2.1 Usual Dosage

Treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) should be initiated before the patient’s planned quit day, while the patient is still smoking, because it takes approximately 1 week of treatment to achieve steady-state blood levels of bupropion. The patient should set a “target quit date” within the first 2 weeks of treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR). Dosing To minimize the risk of seizure: Begin dosing with one 150-mg tablet per day for 3 days. Increase dose to 300 mg per day given as one 150-mg tablet twice each day with an interval of at least 8 hours between each dose. Do not exceed 300 mg per day. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) should be swallowed whole and not crushed, divided, or chewed, as this may lead to an increased risk of adverse effects including seizures. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) may be taken with or without food.

2.2 Duration of

Treatment Treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) should be continued for 7 to 12 weeks. If the patient has not quit smoking after 7 to 12 weeks, it is unlikely that he or she will quit during that attempt so treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) should probably be discontinued and the treatment plan reassessed. The goal of therapy with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) is complete abstinence. Discuss discontinuing treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) after 12 weeks if the patient feels ready but consider whether the patient may benefit from ongoing treatment. Patients who successfully quit after 12 weeks of treatment but do not feel ready to discontinue treatment should be considered for ongoing therapy with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR); longer treatment should be guided by the relative benefits and risks for individual patients. It is important that patients continue to receive counseling and support throughout treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and for a period of time thereafter.

2.3 Individualization of

Therapy Patients are more likely to quit smoking and remain abstinent if they are seen frequently and receive support from their physicians or other healthcare professionals. It is important to ensure that patients read the instructions provided to them and have their questions answered. Physicians should review the patient’s overall smoking cessation program that includes treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR). Patients should be advised of the importance of participating in the behavioral interventions, counseling, and/or support services to be used in conjunction with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR). Patients who fail to quit smoking during an attempt may benefit from interventions to improve their chances for success on subsequent attempts. Patients who are unsuccessful should be evaluated to determine why they failed. A new quit attempt should be encouraged when factors that contributed to failure can be eliminated or reduced, and conditions are more favorable.

2.4 Maintenance

Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition. Some patients may need on-going treatment. Whether to continue treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) for periods longer than 12 weeks for smoking cessation must be determined for individual patients.

2.5 Combination

Treatment with Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets (SR) and a Nicotine Transdermal System (NTS) Combination treatment with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and NTS may be prescribed for smoking cessation. The prescriber should review the complete prescribing information for both bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and NTS before using combination treatment. Monitoring for treatment-emergent hypertension in patients treated with the combination of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and NTS is recommended.

2.6 Dose Adjustment in

Patients with Hepatic Impairment In patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score: 7 to 15), the maximum dose should not exceed 150 mg every other day. In patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score: 5 to 6), consider reducing the dose and/or frequency of dosing.

2.7 Dose Adjustment in

Patients with Renal Impairment Consider reducing the dose and/or frequency of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) in patients with renal impairment (Glomerular Filtration Rate less than 90 mL per min).

2.8 Use of Bupropion

Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets (SR) with Reversible MAOIs Such as Linezolid or Methylene Blue Do not start bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) in a patient who is being treated with a reversible MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. Drug interactions can increase the risk of hypertensive reactions. In some cases, a patient already receiving therapy with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) may require urgent treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. If acceptable alternatives to linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are not available and the potential benefits of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue treatment are judged to outweigh the risks of hypertensive reactions in a particular patient, bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) should be stopped promptly, and linezolid or intravenous methylene blue can be administered. The patient should be monitored for 2 weeks or until 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, whichever comes first. Therapy with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) may be resumed 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. The risk of administering methylene blue by non-intravenous routes (such as oral tablets or by local injection) or in intravenous doses much lower than 1 mg per kg with bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) is unclear. The clinician should, nevertheless, be aware of the possibility of a drug interaction with such use.