Zyban and Weight Gain

Side effects are possible with Zyban, and weight gain is an infrequent side effect of the medication. In previous clinical studies, weight gain was also reported in people not taking the drug. If you are taking Zyban and weight gain becomes a problem, you should let your healthcare provider know. He or she may perform a physical exam and may offer suggestions for losing weight -- such as exercising more and eating a heart-healthy diet.

 

Zyban and Weight Gain: An Overview

Several side effects are possible with Zyban® (bupropion SR). Weight gain appears to be an infrequent side effect of the drug. This conclusion is based on the results of clinical trials that extensively studied Zyban and documented its side effects.
 

Zyban and Weight Gain: Understanding Clinical Trials

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies. In these studies, thousands of people are given a particular medicine and are then compared to a group of people not given the medicine. These studies always document side effects. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In previous studies, between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 people taking Zyban reported weight gain. However, it is likely that people not taking Zyban were more likely to gain weight (although this data was not reported), since people often gain weight when stopping smoking.
 

Zyban and Weight Gain: Suggestions

If you are taking Zyban and weight gain occurs, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she will do a physical exam to look for other causes of weight gain, such as certain types of medical conditions. If the weight gain remains unexplained, your healthcare provider may give you some suggestions, such as eating heart-healthy foods, exercising more, and limiting your intake of alcohol. If the weight gain continues, he or she may also recommend other lifestyle changes or possibly switch you to another medication.
 
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;