Wellbutrin

Bupropion is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression.

Some people have reported symptoms such as changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so) while taking bupropion to stop smoking. The role of Wellbutrin in causing these mood changes is unclear since people who quit smoking with or without medication may experience changes in their mental health due to nicotine withdrawal. However, some of these symptoms occurred in people who were taking bupropion and continued to smoke. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking Wellbutrin, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping bupropion. These symptoms have occurred in people without a history of mental illness and have worsened in people who already had a mental illness. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions), or other mental illnesses.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking bupropion (Zyban) and call your doctor immediately: suicidal thoughts or actions; new or worsening depression, anxiety, or panic attacks; agitation; restlessness; angry or violent behavior; acting dangerously; mania (frenzied, abnormally excited or irritated mood); abnormal thoughts or sensations; hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist); feeling that people are against you; feeling confused; or any other sudden or unusual changes in behavior. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Your doctor will monitor you closely until your symptoms get better.

For people taking bupropion (Wellbutrin) for depression:

A small number of children, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took antidepressants (‘mood elevators’) such as bupropion during clinical studies became suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental illnesses may be more likely to become suicidal than children, teenagers, and young adults who do not take antidepressants to treat these conditions. This risk should be considered and compared with the potential benefit in the treatment of depression, in deciding whether a child or teenager should take an antidepressant. Children younger than 18 years of age should not normally take bupropion, but in some cases, a doctor may decide that bupropion is the best medication to treat a child’s condition.

No matter what your age, before you take an antidepressant, you, your parent, or your caregiver should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your condition with an antidepressant or with other treatments. You should also talk about the risks and benefits of not treating your condition. You should know that having depression or another mental illness greatly increases the risk that you will become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment or any time that your dose is increased or decreased. This risk is higher if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had bipolar disorder or mania or has thought about or attempted suicide. Talk to your doctor about your condition, symptoms, and personal and family medical history. You and your doctor will decide what type of treatment is right for you.

You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways when you take bupropion or other antidepressants even if you are an adult over age 24 or if you do not have a mental illness and you are taking bupropion to treat a different type of condition. You may become suicidal, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; aggressive behavior; irritability; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

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Zyprexa

By Bob Hansen • January 29, 2022

Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. More information/images in the Prescription Drug Brochure. When you receive Zyprexa extended-release injection, the medication is usually released slowly into your blood over a period of time. However, when you receive olanzapine extended-release injection, there is a small chance that olanzapine may be released into your blood too quickly. If this happens, you may experience a serious problem called Post-injection Delirium Sedation Syndrome (PDSS). If you develop PDSS, you may experience dizziness, confusion, difficulty thinking clearly, anxiety, irritability, aggressive behavior, weakness, slurred speech, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness or shaking, seizures, drowsiness, and coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time). You are most likely to experience these symptoms during the first 3 hours after you receive the medication. You will receive Zyprexa extended-release injection in a hospital, clinic, or another medical facility where you can receive emergency medical treatment if it is needed. You will need to remain in the facility for at least 3 hours after you receive the medication. While you are in the clinic, the medical staff will watch you closely for signs of PDSS. When you are ready to leave the facility, you will need a responsible person to be with you, and you should not drive a car or operate machinery for the rest of the day. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any symptoms of PDSS after you leave the facility. A program has been set up to help people receive Zyprexa extended-release injection safely. You will need to register and agree to the rules of this program before you receive olanzapine extended-release injection. Your doctor, the pharmacy that dispenses your medication, and the medical facility where you receive your medication will also need to register. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this program. For people being treated with olanzapine extended-release injection or Zyprexa injection: Studies have shown that older adults with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as olanzapine have an increased chance of death during treatment. Older adults with dementia may also have a greater chance of having a stroke or mini-stroke during treatment. Olanzapine injection and olanzapine extended-release injection are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior disorders in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is being treated with olanzapine injection or olanzapine extended-release injection. For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with olanzapine extended-release injection and each time you receive an injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide. extended-release injection, the medication is usually released slowly into your blood over a period of time. However, when you receive olanzapine extended-release injection, there is a small chance that olanzapine may be released into your blood too quickly. If this happens, you may experience a serious problem called Post-injection Delirium Sedation Syndrome (PDSS). If you develop PDSS, you may experience dizziness, confusion, difficulty thinking clearly, anxiety, irritability, aggressive behavior, weakness, slurred speech, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness or shaking, seizures, drowsiness, and coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time). You are most likely to experience these symptoms during the first 3 hours after you receive the medication. You will receive olanzapine extended-release injection in a hospital, clinic, or another medical facility where you can receive emergency medical treatment if it is needed. You will need to remain in the facility for at least 3 hours after you receive the medication. While you are in the clinic, the medical staff will watch you closely for signs of PDSS. When you are ready to leave the facility, you will need a responsible person to be with you, and you should not drive a car or operate machinery for the rest of the day. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any symptoms of PDSS after you leave the facility. A program has been set up to help people receive olanzapine extended-release injection safely. You will need to register and agree to the rules of this program before you receive olanzapine extended-release injection. Your doctor, the pharmacy that dispenses your medication, and the medical facility where you receive your medication will also need to register. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this program. For people being treated with olanzapine extended-release injection or olanzapine injection: Studies have shown that older adults with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take antipsychotics (medications for mental illness) such as olanzapine have an increased chance of death during treatment. Older adults with dementia may also have a greater chance of having a stroke or mini-stroke during treatment. Olanzapine injection and olanzapine extended-release injection are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of behavior disorders in older adults with dementia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is being treated with olanzapine injection or olanzapine extended-release injection. For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with olanzapine extended-release injection and each time you receive an injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Zoloft

By Bob Hansen • January 29, 2022

Zoloft (Sertraline) is included in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class of drugs is used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

Zanaflex

By Bob Hansen • January 29, 2022

Zanaflex (Tizanidine) is a short-acting muscle relaxer. Tizanidine is used to relieve the spasms and increased muscle tone caused by multiple sclerosis (MS, a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and patients may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control), stroke, or brain or spinal injury. Tizanidine is in a class of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants. It works by slowing action in the brain and nervous system to allow the muscles to relax. Tizanidine comes as a tablet and a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken consistently either always with or always without food two or three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tizanidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Tizanidine capsules may be opened and sprinkled on soft foods such as applesauce. Talk to your doctor before opening the capsules because the effects of the medication, when used in this manner, may be different than when swallowing the capsule whole. The medication in the capsule is absorbed differently by the body than the medication in the tablet, so one product cannot be substituted for the other. Each time you have your prescription filled, look at the tablets or capsules in the bottle and make sure that you have received the right product. If you think you received the wrong medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of tizanidine and gradually increase your dose, depending on your response to this medication. Do not stop taking tizanidine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking tizanidine, your heart may beat faster and you may have increased blood pressure or tightness in your muscles. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

Wellbutrin

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