Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder : A Feasibility Study of Twenty Men

Copyright © 2020 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..

BACKGROUND: Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is a common disorder affecting different areas of life, although studies focusing on pharmacological treatment are sparse.

AIM: To investigate whether the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and can provide symptom reduction in CSBD.

METHODS: Twenty men aged 27-60 years (mean = 38.8 years, standard deviation = 10.3) with CSBD seeking treatment in an outpatient nonforensic clinic received four weeks of naltrexone 25-50 mg. Measurements were made before, during, and four weeks after treatment.

OUTCOMES: The self-assessment Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD: CAS) score was the primary outcome measure, and secondary outcomes were the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) score, reported adverse effects, adherence to treatment, and dropouts.

RESULTS: There was significant decrease on both HD: CAS and HBI scores during treatment with naltrexone. Even though some of the effects remained after treatment, the increased scores on HD: CAS indicated worsening of CSBD symptoms. The most reported side effects were fatigue (55%), nausea (30%), vertigo (30%), and abdominal pain (30%). However, there were no serious adverse effects leading to discontinuation of naltrexone.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Despite side effects being common, naltrexone seems to be feasible in the treatment of CSBD.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Being the first nonforensic prospective trial on naltrexone in CSBD, this study provides novel insights on a pharmacological intervention. However, owing to the small sample size and the lack of a control group, conclusions of effectiveness should be interpreted with caution.

CONCLUSION: Naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and may reduce symptoms of CSBD; nevertheless, future studies should ensure a randomized controlled procedure to evaluate possible effectiveness. Savard J, Öberg KG, Chatzittofis A, et al. Naltrexone in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: A Feasibility Study of Twenty Men. J Sex Med 2020;17:1544-1552.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:17

Enthalten in:

The journal of sexual medicine - 17(2020), 8 vom: 15. Aug., Seite 1544-1552

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Savard, Josephine [VerfasserIn]
Öberg, Katarina Görts [VerfasserIn]
Chatzittofis, Andreas [VerfasserIn]
Dhejne, Cecilia [VerfasserIn]
Arver, Stefan [VerfasserIn]
Jokinen, Jussi [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

5S6W795CQM
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder
Hypersexual disorder
Journal Article
Naltrexone
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Sexual addiction

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 21.12.2020

Date Revised 31.05.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.04.318

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM311118402