title: Bupropion perceived as a stimulant by two patients with a previous history of cocaine misuse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite animal studies having shown a generalisation of the bupropion cue to cocaine, this drug has been used in cocaine abuse with mixed results. We here aimed at describing two cases which contradict current knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe two cases of former cocaine abusers who reported a cocaine-like sensation upon taking bupropion. Bupropion improved patients' depression without any increase in cocaine craving. One of the patients increased without doctor consultation his dose on an as needed basis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The issue of bupropion cue generalisation to cocaine needs further elucidation. People with past cocaine addiction need to be informed on the potential of bupropion to elicit cocaine-like cues and be invited to adhere to medical prescription, because bupropion has been associated with fatalities in some cases.
authors: Dipartimento NESMOS, Sapienza Università di Roma, Ospedale Sant'Andrea, Rome, Italy.
authors: Alessandro E
authors: AE
authors: Vento
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Schifano
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Gentili
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Pompei
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Corkery
authors: Georgios D
authors: GD
authors: Kotzalidis
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Girardi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion