Re: Zyban-side effects

Posted By LN on June 22, 1999 at 19:30:34
I have been taking Zyban for about a month now, also using the Nicoderm CQ patch.  I am having alot of problems sleeping through the night, but recently I have been noticing when I am laying down trying to fall asleep or even just relaxing, my leg and/or arm starts to twitch.  Is this another side effect from the Zyban?  And will it go away when I stop taking it?

[SA--MD]

Posted By SA, M.D. on June 28, 1999 at 09:19:32
Dear LN,
Both nicotine (from the patch) and bupropion (Zyban) may increase wakefulness which is what may account for your increased awareness of the twitching movements which most people experience while they are dropping off to sleep at night.  You and your physician could figure out what was causing what by carefully stopping each of the 2 medicines, one at a time, and seeing what changes.  However, you must proceed with caution in considering doing so, as the annoying sensations which you have described are not life-threatening, like smoking.  I have met many smokers who would rather smoke themselves into an early grave than put up with some annoying, but tolerable, side effects from medications which could add years to their lives.  It's a very human trait to focus much more on the annoyances of the day than on making sweeping changes which involve some immediate discomfort in exchange for significant long-term rewards.  Tobacco dependence has everything to do with this unfortunate tendency.  Good luck to you and your doctor in sorting this out.
For more on the pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation, take a look at my AskDrSteve web site:  http://www.headdocs.com
DrSteve
Keywords:  smoking, Zyban, bupropion, Wellbutrin, nicotine replacement










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