Angioedema caused by bupropion treatment

Reports of urticaria and rash with bupropion are common, with an estimated incidence of 1-4%. Serious adverse reactions, including seizures and angioedema occur less commonly, but may be dose related. Rarely patients present with fever, arthralgia and myalgia resembling a serumsickness reaction. A case of a 30 year-old man presenting with a rash, angioedema, and arthralgia 19 days after commencing bupropion treatment to aid smoking cessation is described. Treatment with antihistamines and steroids, resulted in improvement within 3 hours, and complete resolution after 3 days. Management also included identifying and discontinuing the causative agent. Recent concerns over neuropsychiatric side effects of bupropion are highlighted. The literature is reviewed and recommendations for safer prescribing discussed.