Persistent status epilepticus due to bupropion intoxication

  • Cevdet Duger Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
  • Ahmet Cemil Isbir Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
  • Kenan Kaygusuz Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
  • Iclal Ozdemir Kol Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
  • Sinan Gursoy Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
  • Caner Mimaroglu Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, 58140 Sivas (Turkey)
Keywords: Bupropion, Intoxication, Status epilepticus, Seizures

Abstract

Bupropion has recently been introduced as an atypical antidepressant and also for use as an aid in smoking cessation. It is a monocyclic and structurally unique antidepressant.1 Bupropion exhibits pharmacologic actions unlike tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is known that bupropion is a selective inhibitor of norepinephrine, dopamine and minimally serotonin reuptake. It also has anticholinergic activity. Its mechanism of action in smoking cessation remains unknown.1-3

Bupropion is generally a well-tolerated drug and has adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, tremors, drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, hallucinations, allergic reactions and seizures. It is associated with a dose-dependent increased incidence of seizures which occur in 0.1% of patients.4,5 Seizures may result with therapeutic doses of bupropion.6However, there are few reports of status epilepticus due to bupropion intoxication with different doses.7,8

In this report, we present a rare case of long term status epilepticus due to one of the highest dose of bupropion cited in literature that was managed in our intensive care unit (ICU) and survived.

Published
02-03-2019
How to Cite
Duger, C., Isbir, A. C., Kaygusuz, K., Kol, I. O., Gursoy, S., & Mimaroglu, C. (2019). Persistent status epilepticus due to bupropion intoxication. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care, 302-304. Retrieved from https://apicareonline.com/index.php/APIC/article/view/518
Section
Case Reports