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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2022, 24, N1 (pages: 47 - 52)

Sexual dysfunction in patients with opioid use disorder: a comparison between naltrexone implant and buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance treatment

Caliskan A.M., and Yildiz M.C.

Summary: Background:
Buprenorphine/naloxone and naltrexone implant have long been regarded as effective treatments for opioid use disorder. However, many patients discontinue maintenance therapy because of its side effects, with sexual dysfunction being one of the most common. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual dysfunction in opioid use disorder with respect to buprenorphine/naloxone and naltrexone implant treatment.
Methods
The study population consisted of 50 patients on buprenorphine/naloxone, 50 patients on naltrexone implants, and 50 healthy controls. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-15. One-way analysis of variance test was used to compare sexual function between the buprenorphine/naloxone, naltrexone implant, and healthy control groups.
Results
Sexual dysfunction was more prevalent in the buprenorphine/naloxone or naltrexone implant groups than in the healthy controls. The buprenorphine/naloxone group scored statistically significantly lower than the naltrexone implant group in the erectile function (t=-4.801; p<0.001), sexual desire (t=-2.384; p=0.019), intercourse satisfaction (t=-5.859; p<0.001), and overall satisfaction (t=-3.931; p<0.001) domains.
Conclusions
Our study showed that naltrexone implant causes less sexual dysfunction than buprenorphine/naloxone treatment. In conclusion, clinicians may consider these findings when treating patients with opioid use disorder who have concerns about sexual function.