title: Fatal bupropion overdose with post mortem blood concentrations.
abstract: We report five cases of fatal bupropion overdose with post mortem bupropion concentrations ranging from 3.1 to >20 mg/L. Four patients had ingested a sustained-release formulation of bupropion and had evidence of pill "bodies" in their stomach with significantly elevated blood bupropion concentrations. The pills found in these patients may represent the residual matrix/shell with significant portions of the actual bupropion released and absorbed by the patients.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Regional Poison Center, P.O. Box 35070, Louisville, KY 40232-5070, USA. henry.spiller@nortonhealthcare.org
authors.forename: Henry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Spiller
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bottei
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide; D013607:Tablets; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013607:Tablets; D016642:Bupropion