Is There a Relationship Between Bupropion Plasma Levels and Blood Pressure Increase?

Abstract

Abstract: Bupropion is largely used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation therapy. The aim of this work was to evaluate effects of increased bupropion plasma levels on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with depression. A total of sixty patients with a diagnosis of depression completed this naturalistic study. Bupropion was administered in 150 mg/day dose. Bupropion plasma levels were measured on the 7th and 14th day of treatment. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured for each patient on the 7th and 14th days of treatment. The results of this study did not show any statistically significant blood pressure or heart rate changes with elevating bupropion plasma levels. No significant difference in blood pressure or heart rate was observed by reaching the therapeutic plasma levels of bupropion. Although our results did not suggest any effect of bupropion plasma levels on heart rate and blood pressure, therapeutic benefit of bupropion to treat depression in hypertensive patients should be carefully weighed.