Stimulant-induced enhanced sexual desire as a potential contributing factor in HIV transmission.
OBJECTIVE
Stimulant abuse is associated with an increased risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although sharing of contaminated needles is one of the routes by which HIV is spread, noninjection abusers are also at high risk. The authors investigated the effect of the stimulant drug methylphenidate (given intravenously) on sexual desire as a possible contributing factor to risky sexual behavior associated with the contraction of HIV.


METHODS
The effects of intravenous methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg) on self-reports of sexual desire (rated from 0-10) were evaluated in 39 comparison subjects and 39 cocaine abusers.


RESULTS
Intravenous methylphenidate significantly increased self-reports of sexual desire in comparison subjects (1.4 versus 3.7) and cocaine abusers (2.8 versus 4.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Stimulant-induced enhancement of sexual desire could be one mechanism by which stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine increase the risk for HIV transmission even when they are not injected.
Volkow
Nora D
ND
National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Blvd., Rm. 5274, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. nvolkow@nida.nih.gov
Wang
Gene-Jack
GJ
Fowler
Joanna S
JS
Telang
Frank
F
Jayne
Millard
M
Wong
Christopher
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010919:Placebos; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010919:Placebos; D008774:Methylphenidate; D008694:Methamphetamine