Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Bupropion (Wellbutrin; Burroughs Welcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC) is a unique monocyclic antidepressant about which there is limited overdose information. A retrospective analysis of all bupropion ingestions reported to five regional poison control centers from 1989 through 1991 was conducted. There were 58 cases of bupropion ingestion and nine cases of combined bupropion and benzodiazepine ingestion. Sinus tachycardia was the only toxic cardiovascular effect noted, except for one case of hypotension in the bupropioin and benzodiazepine group. Neurological toxicity was commonly encountered and included lethargy, tremors, and seizures. Both benzodiazepines and phenytoin were efficacious in controlling seizures. Five cases of pure bupropion overdose had electrolytes reported. Serum potassium ranged from 2.6 to 4.2 mEq/L (mean, 3.3 mEq/L). In overdose, bupropion seems to lack major cardiovascular toxicity; however, it does manifest significant neurological toxicity.
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PMID:Bupropion overdose: a 3-year multi-center retrospective analysis. 828 70

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially fatal complication of the combined use of agents that enhance serotonin activity. Bupropion inhibits noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake with milder effects on serotonergic activity. Although regarded as a potential causative agent for SS, no cases have been reported in the medical literature. A 62-year-old woman treated with therapeutic dosages of bupropion and sertraline for depression for the previous 3 weeks presented with upper extremity myoclonic jerks, clumsiness, and gait difficulties with fluctuating symptoms of confusion, forgetfulness, and the alternation of agitation and lethargy. Symptoms were interpreted as an aggravation of depression and venlafaxine was added. The clinical picture progressed to alteration of consciousness and dysautonomia. After admission, medications were discontinued and she was started on cyproheptadine and clonazepam with gradual improvement and complete resolution of symptoms. This is a rare report of SS related to the association of bupropion and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It also illustrates the potential for misinterpretation of the earliest manifestations of SS as signs of aggravation of the patient's underlying condition. The role of bupropion in SS is possibly related to its well-established specific inhibition of the cytochrome P450 2D6 pathway, increasing blood levels of SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants.
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PMID:Serotonin syndrome induced by a combination of bupropion and SSRIs. 1560 2