Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine · Published 2026-06-01 · DOI 10.1002/hkj2.70111
Cho Yau Hon, Shan Liu
Abstract Background Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant known to cause seizure after acute overdose, which can occur up to 24 h from ingestion. There is a lack of study on the Chinese population regarding the factors associated with it. Early identification of patients at risk of seizure may guide further management. Objectives We aimed (1) to identify factors associated with seizure in bupropion overdose in Hong Kong using multivariable analysis; (2) to identify incidence, onset and frequency of seizure in bupropion overdose. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study on consecutive cases reported to the Hong Kong Poison Control Center for bupropion overdose from July 2008 to February 2025. Duplicated reporting, outcome not toxicological related, adverse drug reaction and cases without acute overdose were excluded. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors significantly associated with seizure. Results The final analysis identified 131 cases, including 99 women and 32 men with a median age of 30 years old during the study period. The majority was Chinese (94%). Co‐ingestion was common (73%). Seizure occurred in 29 cases (22%). Multivariable analysis showed that tachycardia >100 beats/min (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.42–9.96, p = 0.0096) and QRS interval >100 ms (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.37–8.22, p = 0.0083) were associated with seizure. Conclusion Tachycardia >100 beats/min and QRS interval >100 ms are associated with seizure after bupropion overdose in our study subjects.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Hon, C., Liu, S. (2026). Factors associated with seizure in bupropion overdose—A 17‐year retrospective study in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/hkj2.70111