Effect of bupropion on dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine-mediated behaviour in mice

Abstract

When bupropion (12·5–50 mg kg−1) was administered 30 min before methamphetamine it significantly antagonized methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour in mice, but when given 5 min after methamphetamine it significantly potentiated the behaviour. When it was administered to mice pretreated with 100 mg kg−1 pargyline, intense locomotor stimulation and stereotyped behaviour was observed whereas when clomipramine was administered similarly the animals showed locomotor stimulation, head twitches and abduction and extension of hind limbs. Unlike clomipramine, bupropion failed to potentiate the 5-hydroxytryptamine-mediated behaviour seen after 5-hydroxytryptophan, 100 mg kg−1, i.v. These observations are in agreement with reports that bupropion is more potent as an inhibitor of dopamine uptake than as an inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake in-vitro.