Zyban is a tablet used to help quit smoking. Zyban contains a medicine called Bupropion. Bupropion is also the medicine in Wellbutrin, which is used for depression. Zyban is started before quitting smoking, with a target date usually in the second week of taking Zyban1. Zyban is only available on a doctor’s prescription.
Zyban has an antidepressant action. However, its effect on quittingsmoking may not be directly related to its antidepressant effects . Possible theories for how it works include blocking the effects of nicotine, reducing withdrawal or helping depressed mood. However, in a trial of people who didn’t want to stop smoking, Zyban was no more effective than placebo .
Zyban approximately doubles the chances of quitting smoking at 3 months from quit date. This drops back a little at 1 year from stopping. Zyban is less effective than Chantix . In trials, Zyban had around a 14% quit rate versus 21% for Chantix.
Zyban may reduce weight gain from stopping smoking, while it isbeing taken, although weight gain can occur when Zyban is stopped .
