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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2008 Aug-Sep;23(4):344–354. doi: 10.1177/1533317508318369

Pharmacotherapy for Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors in Dementia: A Systematic Review of Literature

Banu Ozkan 1, Kirsten Wilkins 2, Sunanda Muralee 3, Rajesh R Tampi 4
PMCID: PMC10697387  PMID: 18509106

Abstract

The aim of this study is to systematically review the published literature on pharmacotherapy for inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia. Literature search of the 5 databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and COCHRANE collaboration) and the analysis of the data available for the pharmacotherapeutic treatments of inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia were carried out.There are no published randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia, but available data from uncontrolled trials, case series, and individual case reports suggest efficacy for antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, hormonal agents, cimetidine, and pindolol for the treatment of these behaviors. Although there are no controlled data for the treatment of inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia, available data suggest efficacy for some commonly used pharmacotherapeutic agents.

Keywords: inappropriate sexual behaviors, hypersexuality, behavioral disturbances in dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia

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Contributor Information

Banu Ozkan, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Kirsten Wilkins, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Sunanda Muralee, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Rajesh R. Tampi, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, rajesh.tampi@yale.edu .

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