Short-term treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with naltrexone: an open-label preliminary study.
Eight patients (6 men and 2 women) with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were treated with naltrexone 100-200 mg/day. Seven patients completed 2 weeks of treatment. A subtle and clinically insignificant improvement was noted in intrusive and hyperarousal symptoms (p < 0.05 for both), but not in avoidance symptoms. All patients demonstrated side effects which limited the targeted dose. It is suggested that the subtle positive effect of naltrexone and the hypersensitivity of these patients to its side effects do not encourage the use of naltrexone in the treatment of PTSD patients.
Lubin
Gad
G
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, and Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Weizman
Abraham
A
Shmushkevitz
Mordechai
M
Valevski
Avi
A
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009271:Naltrexone