# New-Onset Tic Disorder Associated With Bupropion XL: A Rare Case

**Authors:** Ovais Rashid, Priyanka Hooda, Simranjeet Kaur

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102855 · Cureus · 2026-02-02

## TL;DR

A 27-year-old man developed tics after starting bupropion XL for depression, which resolved after stopping the drug and starting risperidone.

## Contribution

Reports a rare case linking bupropion XL to new-onset tic disorder, emphasizing clinical awareness.

## Key findings

- A patient developed motor and vocal tics after initiating bupropion XL.
- Tics resolved after discontinuing bupropion and starting low-dose risperidone.

## Abstract

Tics are sudden, rapid, non-rhythmic movements or vocalizations. Bupropion XL, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), is approved for depression and smoking cessation. While tics are a known adverse effect of stimulants and have been rarely reported with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), they are exceptionally uncommon with bupropion. We present the case of a 27-year-old male patient with no prior history of tic disorder who developed motor (clapping) and vocal (whistling, laughing) tics following the initiation of bupropion XL for depressive symptoms. The tics subsided completely upon discontinuation of bupropion and initiation of low-dose risperidone. This case highlights a rare but clinically significant adverse effect of bupropion, underscoring the need for clinical vigilance when prescribing this agent.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** bupropion XL (PubChem CID 62884), risperidone (PubChem CID 5073)
- **Diseases:** depression (MONDO:0002050), tic disorder (MONDO:0002420)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CD4 (CD4 molecule) [NCBI Gene 920] {aka CD4mut, IMD79, Leu-3, OKT4D, T4}
- **Diseases:** echolalia (MESH:D004454), Adverse Drug Reaction (MESH:D064420), motor (clapping) and vocal ( (MESH:D005879), involuntary movements (MESH:D020820), Depression (MESH:D003866), OCD (MESH:D009771), abnormal movements (MESH:D004409), ) tics (MESH:D020323), movement disorder (MESH:D009069), HIV (MESH:D015658), anhedonia (MESH:D059445), arachnoid cyst (MESH:D016080), repetitive movements (MESH:D012090), Tic Disorder (MESH:D013981), anxiety (MESH:D001007), insomnia (MESH:D007319), psychiatric illness (MESH:D001523), fatigue (MESH:D005221), leukoencephalopathy (MESH:D056784), low mood (MESH:D019964), neurological deficits (MESH:D009461), dopaminergic hyperactivity (MESH:D006948)
- **Chemicals:** Bupropion XL (-), sertraline (MESH:D020280), methylphenidate (MESH:D008774), fluoxetine (MESH:D005473), dopamine (MESH:D004298), tenofovir alafenamide (MESH:C442442), Bupropion (MESH:D016642), clonazepam (MESH:D002998), escitalopram (MESH:D000089983), dolutegravir (MESH:C562325), Risperidone (MESH:D018967)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (no rank) [taxon 11676]

## Full text

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## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12922636/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12922636