An open-label pilot study of naltrexone in childhood-onset trichotillomania

Objective: This pilot open study evaluates the safety and efficacy of naltrexone in the management of patients with childhood onset trichotillomania (TTM). Methods: A total of 14 patients with childhood-onset TTM were treated with naltrexone (25-100 mg/day) and were assessed at each visit for frequency of hair pulling, urge to pull hair, and symptom severity. Liver function was monitored during the treatment. The duration of the study was 10 months. Results: A mean dose of 66.07 +/- 22.23 mg/day naltrexone was well tolerated and 11 out of 14 subjects showed a positive response. The mean age of the children was 9 +/- 1.88 years. The mean age of onset of symptoms in the group was 7.07 +/- 0.91 years. No abnormality in liver function was noted in the study. No adverse effects were reported by the children. Conclusions: This encouraging pilot open study has promising findings suggesting the use of naltrexone in childhood-onset TTM. However, results are needed from larger and more definitive trials before any conclusions are made.