Bupropion characterized

Brody AL, Mandelkern MA, Lee G, Smith E, Sadeghi M, Saxena S, Jarvik ME, London ED (2004) Attenuation of cue-induced cigarette craving and anterior cingulate cortex activation in bupropion-treated smokers a preliminary study. Psychiatry Res 130 269-281 Brower VG, Fu Y, Malta SG, Sharp BM (2002) Rat strain differences in nicotine self-administration using an unlimited access paradigm. Brain Res 930 12-20 Bruijnzeel AW, Markou A (2003) Characterization of the effects of bupropion on the reinforcing properties of nicotine and food in rats. Synapse 50 20-28... 

This lack of information may well relate to bupropion s complex metabolism, whereby biologically active metabolites predominate several-fold over the parent compound these metabolites may ultimately prove to be the basis for therapeutic effects [Golden et al. 1988]. Furthermore, because the full spectrum of action of the metabolites has not been explored, it is difficult to confidently characterize the primary biochemical action of bupropion as noradrenergic. One must therefore be cautious in interpreting any distinct aspects of bupropion s clinical actions as reflecting some noradrenergic mechanisms. And to our knowledge, bupropion is unique in that no other compound available for use in humans has a similar overall profile of preclini-cal and clinical biochemical effects. 

Newer antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, venlafaxine) are mostly SSRIs and are generally safer than the tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, although they can cause seizures. Bupropion (not an SSRI) has caused seizures even in therapeutic doses. Some antidepressants have been associated with QT prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia. SSRIs may interact with each other or especially with monoamine oxidase inhibitors to cause the serotonin syndrome, characterized by agitation, muscle hyperactivity, and hyperthermia (see Chapter 16). 

Sridar C, Kenaan C, Hollenberg PF (2012) Inhibition of bupropion metabolism by selegiline mechanism-based inactivation of human CYP2B6 and characterization of glutathione and peptide adducts. Drug Metab Dispos 40 2256-2266... 

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