Outcome Study of Kleptomania Patients Treated With Naltrexone

Abstract

This study examines the response to treatment in 17 patients with kleptomania who were treated with naltrexone as monotherapy for up to 3 years. Patients were treated with naltrexone (range, 50-200 mg/day) and were assessed at each clinic visit for stealing behavior, urges to steal, and for overall symptom severity. Liver function tests were examined regularly during treatment. Comparison of baseline symptoms with the most recent follow-up visit showed that 13 patients (76.5%) reported reduction in their urges to steal, and 7 (41.1%) reported no stealing behavior. In addition, 9 (52.9%) were rated as being either "not ill at all" or having "very mild" kleptomania symptoms at the most recent clinic visit. The mean effective dose of naltrexone was 135.3 +/- 38.6 mg/day. Monthly liver function tests revealed no elevations or abnormalities. These findings from a clinical setting suggest that a substantial percentage of patients report clinically significant improvement in kleptomania symptoms when treated with naltrexone.