Nonresponse to high-dose bupropion for depression in a patient carrying CYP2B6*6 and CYP2C19*17 variants: a case report

Abstract

We report the case of a patient with major depression treated with high-dose bupropion due to prior detected subtherapeutic blood concentrations at standard dosing. Pharmacogenetic panel testing identified the patient as a carrier of the CYP2B6*6 allele, which has been associated with reduced bupropion metabolism and decreased concentrations of the pharmacologically active metabolite hydroxybupropion. Interestingly, we also found the patient to be homozygous for the CYP2C19*17 allele, predicting an ultra rapid metabolizer phenotype. We propose a combined effect of the detected CYP2C19 and CYP2B6 genetic variants on bupropion metabolism. This case underlines the potential benefit of pre-emptive pharmacogenotyping but also the yet still fragmentary evidence making precise pharmacogenotype guided antidepressant selection and dosing challenging.