Efficacy of Escitalopram in the Treatment of Internet Addiction

Condition(s) targeted: Internet Addiction

Intervention: Escitalopram (Drug)

Phase: Phase 4

Status: Completed

Sponsored by: Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Eric Hollander, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Lexapro (Escitalopram) is safe and effective in treating problematic internet use.

Official title: Efficacy of Escitalopram in the Treatment of Internet Addiction

Study design: Treatment, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study

Primary outcome: length of non-essential Internet use in hours/week as well as CGI-Improvement

Secondary outcome: ratings on depression, anxiety, impulsivity, self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive symptoms

Detailed description: Many individuals experience marked distress and functional impairments as a result of their perceived inability to control their 'non-essential' (non-job/school related) use of the Internet. Frequently these people develop a preoccupation with the Internet, a need for escape to the Internet, and increasing irritability when trying to cut back use of the Internet. There have been no studies to date looking at the effectiveness of medications in the treatment of this disorder. In our clinical experience, we find these patients with Internet addiction usually respond to serotonin reuptake inhibitors within 12 weeks. This study will examine the efficacy of escitalopram in Internet addiction among adults.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 65 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has signed an informed consent form

2. Current diagnosis of Internet addiction

3. Age ³ 18

4. Subject must be able to take oral medication

5. Subject may be in psychotherapy initiated at least three months prior to Screening. Subject must not discontinue or otherwise alter this therapy during the study.

6. In the opinion of the investigator, the subject is capable of complying with all study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current suicidal or homicidal ideation

2. Subject has a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders

3. Subject has a primary diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder

4. Current pedophilia

5. Current DSM-IV diagnosis of substance dependence or abuse, excluding nicotine

6. Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or not using contraception

7. Use of antidepressants at a therapeutic level for the treatment of problematic internet use within 2 weeks prior to study entry (or 4 weeks for use of MAOIs, or 6 weeks for use of fluoxetine)

8. Current use of antidepressants at a therapeutic level for the treatment of a disorder other than problematic internet use

9. Subject has any organic mental disorder

10. Clinically significant unstable medical disorder

Starting date: December 2002
Ending date: October 2004
Last updated: May 23, 2008