Episode 63: Bupropion Toxicity – Mechanisms of Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re taking a closer look at bupropion and its distinctive toxicity profile in overdose.We explore a case of bupropion overdose to examine the often complex clinical presentation, including seizures and cardiovascular complications, as well as the challenges of management and potential longer-term consequences. We then unpack the mechanism underlying bupropion-associated seizures and how these differ from other antidepressants.We also turn our attention to the cardiac effects seen in overdose, focusing on QRS widening, why traditional treatments such as sodium bicarbonate may be ineffective, and what current evidence suggests about the underlying mechanism.Join us as we examine how bupropion behaves in overdose, what makes its toxicology unique, and what this means for clinical management and interpretation.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735355/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12281246/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2023.2218029https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4294106/pdf/bph0171-4808.pdf Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected]