Anti-smoking drug 'may aid suicide'

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.