NDRI (smoking cessation aid)
Bupropion hydrochloride
Brand names: Zyban
Adult dose
Dose: 150mg OD ×6 days then 150mg BD; treatment 7–9 weeks
Route: Oral
Frequency: BD
Clinical pearls
- NICE NG209 stop smoking: 2nd/3rd-line option after varenicline / cytisine / NRT
- Set quit date 1–2 weeks after starting
- DVLA: warn re seizure risk
Contraindications
- Seizure disorder
- Eating disorder (current/history)
- CNS tumour
- Acute alcohol/benzodiazepine withdrawal
- Bipolar disorder
- Severe hepatic disease
- Concurrent MAOI
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Seizures (dose-related)
- Hypertension
- Hypersensitivity skin reactions
- Suicidal ideation (MHRA)
Interactions
- Strong CYP2D6 substrates
- SSRIs (lower seizure threshold)
- MAOIs
- Antipsychotics
Monitoring
- BP
- Mood
- Seizure history
Reference: BNF; NICE NG209; MHRA Drug Safety Update; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/bupropion-hydrochloride/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CURB-65) · BTS 2009 / NICE NG138
- Acute Pulmonary Embolism · BTS 2003 / ESC 2019
- Pleural Effusion Assessment · BTS 2010