Why is sodium bicarbonate generally thought to be ineffective in treating QRS widening as a result of bupropion overdose?
Bupropion toxicity widens QRS by inhibiting cardiac gap junctions, whereas sodium bicarbonate corrects the QRS complex in situations where the widening is a result of sodium channel blockade.
Simpson M, Johnson L, Goldfine C. Sodium bicarbonate treatment for QRS widening in bupropion overdoses. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2023 Jun;61(6):436-444. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2023.2218029. Epub 2023 Jun 15. PMID: 37318051.
Contributed by Whitney Phillips, Pharm D candidate
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