Effects of naltrexone on mood and neuroendocrine function in normal adult males

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Abstract

(1) A significant increase in integrated plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels occurred following oral administration of 50 mg of naltrexone to seven healthy adult males who had no past history of opiate use or abuse. (2) All subjects were able to identify naltrexone from placebo in a double-blind study. (3) All subjects reported that naltrexone produced dysphoric effects including fatigue, sleepiness, light-headedness, nausea, sweating and occasional feelings of unreality. (4) Three subjects reported recurrent spontaneous penile erections following naltrexone administration. (5) No dysphoric side effects or penile erections occurred following placebo administration. (6) These findings indicate that naltrexone affects both mood states and sexual function in adult males who have no history of opiate abuse and suggests that these effects may be mediated by hypothalamic and pituitary mechanisms which also subserve LH secretory activity.

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