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Naltrexone and fluoxetine demonstrated similar results in the treatment of people with compulsive sexual behavior disorder in a new study from Karolinska Institutet. Published in BMJ Mental Health, the study found no clear differences between the medications after eight weeks of treatment, although symptom patterns changed differently over time.

Compulsive sexual behavior disorder is characterized by recurring difficulties in controlling sexual impulses and behaviors, which can lead to distress and negative consequences in everyday life. Although the condition is estimated to affect 2% to 3% of the population, knowledge about pharmacological treatment remains limited.

In the new study, researchers compared fluoxetine, an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), with naltrexone, a medication used, among other things, to treat substance use disorders. Both medications are sometimes prescribed for compulsive sexual behavior disorder, but evidence regarding their effects has so far been limited.

A total of 80 individuals who met the diagnostic criteria for the disorder participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine or naltrexone for eight weeks, followed by a six-week treatment-free period. The study was conducted at ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.

The researchers found that symptoms decreased in both treatment groups during the intervention period, but there was no statistically significant difference between the medications after eight weeks of treatment. However, differences were observed in how symptoms developed over time.

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