Pilot Randomized Trial of Bupropion for Adolescent Methamphetamine Abuse/Dependence

PurposeTo perform a pilot clinical trial of bupropion for methamphetamine abuse/dependence among adolescents.MethodsNineteen adolescents with methamphetamine abuse (n = 2) or dependence (n = 17) were randomly assigned to bupropion SR 150 mg twice daily or placebo for 8 weeks with outpatient substance abuse counseling.ResultsBupropion was well-tolerated except for one female in the bupropion group who was hospitalized for suicidal ideation during a methamphetamine relapse. Adolescents receiving bupropion and females provided significantly fewer methamphetamine-free urine tests compared to participants receiving placebo (p = .043) and males (p = .005) respectively.ConclusionsResults do not support the feasibility of additional trials of bupropion for adolescent methamphetamine abuse/dependence. Future studies should investigate the influence of gender on adolescent methamphetamine abuse and treatment outcomes.