Bupropion Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychiatry
• Reproductive Toxicology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Bupropion is frequently prescribed for depression and smoking cessation.
• Pregnant women with depression or nicotine dependence require safe treatment options.
• Existing data on bupropion's safety during pregnancy necessitates systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate existing data on birth outcomes associated with bupropion use during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic literature review of PubMed and PsycINFO databases was conducted.
• Keywords included bupropion, pregnancy, depression, smoking cessation, birth outcomes, miscarriage, and spontaneous abortion.
• All relevant clinical studies published in English were included, with no exclusions.

Main Results:

• First-trimester bupropion exposure was associated with a slight increase in cardiovascular defect risk, though absolute risk remained low and confounding factors were noted.
• One study indicated a higher miscarriage risk with prenatal bupropion exposure, but this rate was consistent with general population rates.

Conclusions:

• Bupropion may be a suitable pharmacotherapeutic option for pregnant women experiencing depression, especially those also seeking to reduce nicotine use.
• Further research is warranted to definitively establish the safety profile of bupropion during pregnancy.
• Current evidence suggests a favorable risk-benefit balance for bupropion in specific pregnant populations.