UAE | Health
Anti-smoking drug 'may aid suicide'
A widely-available anti-smoking aid, which has the same properties as an anti-depressant drug, may be re-classified as restricted in the UAE, following a suicide warning from the US drug authority.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 May 4, 2007
Dubai: A widely-available anti-smoking aid, which has the same properties as an anti-depressant drug, may be re-classified as restricted in the UAE, following a suicide warning from the US drug authority.
The active ingredient in Zyban is bupropion HCI - the same as anti-depressant drug Wellbutrin, both marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Zyban is listed as one of the drugs the Food and Drug Administration has asked to add a suicide warning for those aged 18 to 24.
In the UAE, Zyban is listed as a general prescription medicine although it is routinely sold over the counter. Dr Fatima Ali Abdullah, deputy director of drug control department at the Ministry of Health, told Gulf News they would review the options based on the warning. Gulf News contacted GlaxoSmithKline but no one was available for comment.
Share this article
More from UAE Health
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- How I got into grad school in New York
- Committee plans for National Day
- Gallery gives helping hand to children's charity
- Failed heist: Gang ditches electrocuted member
- Rule of law 'necessary' for investment
- Students opt for vocational training
- British athlete becomes first to swim around Palm
- Red Line Metro stations to open in February
- Vaccination drive for Haj pilgrims launched
- 287 street vendors, beggars held in Dubai
- Call for entries to the third AUS Model United Nations
- Talk your way to the top
- Notes in Brief
- Man jumps to death after car tyre burst
- Burst pipe on SZR causes Metro station closures
Community Reports
-
Public transport is the way to go
Residents must stop complaining about feeder buses taking up parking space
-
Be kind to animals
Mistreated Labrador and puppy need new home filled with love
-
Help me find my precious cat
Raif, my cute eight-month-old ‘fur ball', went missing in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area last month
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
