Naltrexone in treatment of self injurious behavior: a clinical study.
It has been suggested that the parenteral opiate antagonist, naloxone, might ameliorate self-injurious behavior. However, clinical studies have had conflicting results. We have evaluated whether a potent oral opiate antagonist, naltrexone, is effective in the treatment of this condition. The study was conducted on two young, profoundly mentally retarded adults, who exhibited intractable self-injurious behavior. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject-withdrawal design was utilized. One subject was studied for 12 weeks and the other one for 18 weeks. No measurable effects on the self-injurious behavior were observed.
Szymanski
L
L
Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Kedesdy
J
J
Sulkes
S
S
Cutler
A
A
Stevens-Our
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009271:Naltrexone