NCJ Number
209531
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 349-357
Date Published
April 2005
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined the Pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of bupropion sustained release (SR) at steady state and their potential developmental differences in a sample of juveniles.
Abstract
Bupropion is an aminketone antidepressant. Controlled studies have demonstrated bupropion’s effectiveness for the treatment of adults, as well as juveniles with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In open trials of juvenile patients, the sustained-release (SR) form of bupropion appears to be effective. This study examined the steady-state pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of bupropion SR and their potential developmental differences in youths based on the assumption that bupropion SR’s PK properties in youths are similar to those in adults; therefore, the SR form of bupropion could potentially eliminate the need for midday doses at school and reduce the risk of seizures. The study consisted of 11 boys and 8 girls aged 11 to 17 years of age. They were prescribed bupropion SR monotherapy for ADHD and/or depressive disorders. The results show that bupropion and its metabolites exhibited linear PK's. This indicates that youths metabolize bupropion SR faster to hydoxybupropion and other active metabolites than adults. However, until the clinical importance of bupropion’s metabolites is clarified, it is recommended that bupropion SR be given in divided doses to youths. References