Antidepressants: bupropion contraindications: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antidepressants: bupropion contraindications

Sample item

A 28-year-old woman with bulimia nervosa and a past tonic-clonic seizure wants help to stop smoking. Which agent should be avoided because it lowers the seizure threshold?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Bupropion

Bupropion inhibits noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake and carries a dose-related risk of seizures. It is contraindicated in seizure disorders and in eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa, and during abrupt alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. Nicotine replacement carries no appreciable seizure risk, and varenicline lacks bupropion's dose-related seizure liability.

Option by option

  • A. Nicotine gum

    Nicotine gum is a safe replacement option in this setting.

  • B. Nicotine patch

    Nicotine transdermal replacement does not appreciably lower the seizure threshold.

  • C. Bupropion (correct)

    Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in seizure disorder and bulimia.

  • D. Varenicline

    Varenicline is a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptors and lacks bupropion's dose-related seizure and eating-disorder contraindication.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, Bupropion. Bupropion inhibits noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake and carries a dose-related risk of seizures.

Why is "Nicotine gum" not the answer?

Nicotine gum is a safe replacement option in this setting.

Why is "Nicotine patch" not the answer?

Nicotine transdermal replacement does not appreciably lower the seizure threshold.

Why is "Varenicline" not the answer?

Varenicline is a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptors and lacks bupropion's dose-related seizure and eating-disorder contraindication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidepressants: bupropion contraindications in Pharmacology. It is contraindicated in seizure disorders and in eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa, and during abrupt alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. Nicotine replacement carries no appreciable seizure risk, and varenicline lacks bupropion's dose-related seizure liability.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Antidepressants: bupropion contraindications?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.