- Is bupropion (Zyban) causing deaths?

From 1 February to 30 June 2001, 277 602 prescriptions for the smoking cessation drug bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban, GlaxoSmithKline) were processed. The Health Insurance Commission approved 343 737 prescriptions for bupropion between 1 February and 30 June.1 Comparing this figure with the 277 602 processed scripts, some 66 135 (19.2%) scripts went unfilled. One reason for this may have been extensive publicity given to reports of deaths and numerous adverse reactions following bupropion use.