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Psychopharmacologic Treatments for Nonparaphilic Compulsive Sexual Behaviors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Martin Kafka
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Abstract

This article reviews the use of pharmacologic agents to treat nonparaphilic compulsive sexual behaviors (paraphilia-related disorders). Recent data suggest that serotonergic antidepressants, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), may be effective in treating nonparaphilic sexual behaviors characterized by hypersexuality. The rationale, prescriptive use, and limitations of SRIs are reviewed, as are the proposed mechanisms of action, prescriptive use, and side effects of medications that lower serum testosterone (including triptorelin and the antiandrogens medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyproterone acetate). The potential use of psychostimulants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotics for paraphilia-related disorders in specific clinical situations is discussed. Practical guidelines, augmentation strategies with adjunctive psychopharmacologic agents, and indications regarding pharmacologic combinations of the above medications are suggested.

Type
Feature Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 5 , Issue 1: The Epidemiology, Psychopharmacology, and Neurobiology of Compulsive Sexual Behavior , January 2000 , pp. 49 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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