Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome after bupropion treatment for smoking cessation.
Bupropion hydrochloride is an effective drug for people who want stop smoking, and its use has recently increased in many countries. The main side effects of this drug are related to its dopaminergic activity and are dose dependent. To date, no cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS) have been reported in literature. Here we describe a case of a woman who developed a sporadic form of TTP-HUS during a treatment with bupropion for smoking cessation, successfully treated with plasma ex-change therapy. The authors wish to make readers aware of bupropion as a possible cause of this potentially lethal disease.
Mele
Luca
L
Instituto di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. lumele@hotmail.com
Voso
Maria T
MT
Fianchi
Luana
L
Leone
Giuseppe
G
Pagano
Livio
L
D016642:Bupropion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy
D016642:Bupropion