Can Gabapentin Be a Safe Alternative to Hormonal Therapy in the Treatment of Inappropriate Sexual Behavior in Demented Patients?

Management of inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia: a literature review

“…Gabapentin has been described as effective treatment for inappropriate sexual behavior in dementia in a total of five cases (Miller, 2001; Alkhalil et al ., 2003; 2004). The first case describes a 76-year-old man with AD who exposed himself and masturbated in public places in his nursing home and inappropriately touched female visitors.…”

“…Alkhalil et al . (2003; 2004) briefly describe a further three cases, two with AD and one with vascular dementia, who did not respond to non-pharmacological measures but who showed improvement on 1800–2700 mg per day of gabapentin. One had complete resolution of the symptoms and the other two had reduction in symptoms to a level that was no longer deemed a problem in the care facility.…”

Intimacy between care home residents with dementia: Findings from a review of the literature

“…The reasons for such difficulties appear multi-faceted and explanations posited range from the social stigma regarding sex and old age, staff’s personal values and dilemmas about the impact the behaviour could have on others (Doll, 2012; Gott, 2005; Higgins et al., 2004). Some view symptoms of disinhibition as a problem that ought to be treated by medication (Alkhalil, Hahar, Alkhalil, Zavros, & Lowenthal, 2003; Alkhalil, Tanvir, Alkhalil, & Lowenthal, 2004; Bardell, Lau, & Fedoroff, 2011) while others believe that the expression of sexuality represents an underlying need which should be validated (Feil, 1995). In the latter, the actual behaviour is not the problem, but the unmet need (Ballard, 2001; Feil, 1995).…”

Mood stabilizers for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: An update review

“…Several open trials and case series also showed efficacy of GPN for agitation. Seven case reports including nine demented patients with agitation showed that five patients with AD, one with vascular dementia (VaD) and one with another type of dementia responded subjectively to GPN; those patients remaining unresponsive had Lewy body dementia [39–44]. Later positive reports of efficacy using objective measurements included a case series of three patients with AD and one with mixed‐type dementia on a dose of 300–2400 mg per day of GPN, using OASS for evaluation [45] and an uncontrolled open trial with 20 patients with AD on a mean dosage of 980 mg per day for 15 months, using the NPI‐agitation factor for evaluation [38].…”