Zyban, originally intended for use as an anti-depressant, was found to be useful in helping people stop smoking, regardless of whether depressed or not.

However…

The canadian Medical Association Journal that a widely prescribed anti-depressant and anti-smoking drug has potentially deadly side effects.

Zyban, also marketed as Wellbutrin, is manufactured by the Drug Company GlaxoSmithKline. It has been prescribed to about 2 million people since 1998, and there have been problems associated with the drug, including 19 deaths in Canada.

Last July, GlaxoSmithKline issued a warning to the doctors about potentially serious side effects associated with the drugs, including seizures and convulsions. Health Canada re-issued the warning in September. People on the medication ZYBAN need to have their risk profile assessed before it’s prescribed and they need to be monitored.

 Contra-indications

• Epilepsy
• History of seizures
• Eating disorders
• manic depression
• pregnancy
• Breast feeding
• CNS tumor
• Alcohol

 Side effects

• difficulty in concentration
• dizziness
• insomnia
• dry mouth
• increased blood pressure
• Fast heart beat
• postural hypotension
• reddened skin
• tremor
• headache
• dizziness
• depression
• confusion
• anxiety
• restless
• fever
• chest pain
• weakness
• reduced appetite
• stomach upset
• rash
• itch
• sweating
• tinnitus
• altered taste
• visual disturbances