Opiate antagonists in children and adolescents

Naltrexone a pure opioid antagonist, well tolerated in young patients, has been found to be an interesting treatment in some disorders in children and adolescents. Naltrexone has been first tried in mental retardation and aut ism disorders in children and adolescents. Symptoms like self-injury behavi ours, hyperactivity, stereotyped and ritualistic conducts appear to be impr oved in a subgroup of children with the opiate antagonist. But new controll ed studies still need to be done before recommending naltrexone in autism. Preliminary results in the treatment of alcoholic adolescents seem to suppo rt the efficacy of naltrexone on abstinence when combined with a supportive psychotherapy. In adults, results found with the use of naltrexone in eati ng disorders are different, when considering the duration and the dosage of the treatment and the kind of eating disorder (bulimia, binge eating or an orexia nervosa). Studies in children and adolescents are needed before prop osing naltrexone in eating disorders. We resumed here the results found wit h this treatment in these indications.