Efficacy of Escitalopram in the Treatment of Internet Addiction

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2004-10-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

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

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Collaborator: Forest Laboratories
• Treatments: Citalopram; Dexetimide

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