Dr. Bob's Psychopharmacology Tips

Cutting or crushing bupropion

From: DrAJAllen@aol.com (A. J. Allen, M.D., Ph.D.)
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 10:47:45 -0500
Subject: Cutting or crushing bupropion

Bupropion is that it is chemically very similar to the catecholamines and shares with them a tendency to be inactivated by oxidation. Whether you cut or crush the tablet, you break the protective coating and [increase the surface area]. The greater the area exposed to air, the more will be oxidized. In addition, the longer the exposure to air, the more will be oxidized.

Still, in a study of bupropion vs. Ritalin for childhood ADHD done at Iowa and reported earlier this year in JAACAP, bupropion tablets had to be cut to dose smaller kids. It didn't seem to be a problem during each week of the study, but beyond a week I don't know. (This point was not made in the paper, but I was involved in the study and our group did discuss it. Also, I've spoken with people at Burroughs Wellcome about this. The problem with bupropion oxidizing is one reason there isn't a liquid form of bupropion available.)

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