Bupropion-Associated Delayed Onset Urticaria

Bupropion is an oral antidepressant that is commonly used to treat various mood disorders. Its therapeutic mechanism of action results from inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. Bupropion is generally well-tolerated and patients usually experience no side effects or mild adverse events. Rarely, hypersensitivity reactions to bupropion, such as urticaria, have been observed. However, the prevalence of delayed onset bupropion-associated urticaria may not be properly reflected in the literature due to misdiagnosis of the condition caused by its atypical presentation. We report a 20-year-old man with delayed onset bupropion-associated urticaria; he had been on bupropion for three weeks and subsequently developed new severely pruritic, erythematous wheals on his abdomen, bilateral flanks, and upper extremities. The clinical features of this rare adverse reaction to bupropion are also summarized.