Bupropion toxicokinetic: a case report.

CONTEXT: The toxicokinetics of sustained-release bupropion are not well described. CASE: A 23-year-old Caucasian male took an overdose of 5,700 mg of sustained release bupropion with no co-ingestant. Venous serum samples were assayed for bupropion concentrations over the next 5 days. The peak concentration was 1.114 mg/L. The observed T(max) was found to be 8.25 h, the calculated alpha half-life 10.9 h (+/-SE of 4.47%), and the calculated beta half-life 19.8 h (+/-SE 12.62%). The alpha half-life and T(max) differ significantly from those seen in therapeutic doses. DISCUSSION: Bezoar formation may underlie these differences. Interventions which reduce the absorption of sustained release bupropion may be effective in overdose.