Naltrexone, New Drug For Kleptomania

Naltrexone, a new drug that might be good news for kleptomania victims...guess the drug store better keep this one locked up behind the counter though! Wocka wocka wocka.

Naltrexone, New Drug For Kleptomania
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Naltrexone, a drug commonly used to treat alcoholism and drug addiction, reduces stealing urges and associated behavior in individuals with kleptomania, according to study results published in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry.

"Kleptomania appears to share many...similarities to substance use disorders: urges or cravings, tolerances, withdrawal, repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop, and impairment in areas of life functioning," Dr. Jon E. Grant and colleagues at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, point out.

Naltrexone belongs to a class of drugs called opioid antagonists, which among other functions, diminish "stealing-related excitement and cravings," they note.

In an 8-week clinical trial, the researchers examined the effectiveness and tolerability of naltrexone in 25 adults with kleptomania who were randomly assigned to receive naltrexone or placebo. Twenty-three subjects completed the study.

Naltrexone, New Drug For Kleptomania