Citation

White M, White CM. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1002/jcph.2233

PMID

36895011

Abstract

This article discusses the rare but serious occurrence of sedative hypnotic drug induced sexual thoughts. We searched PubMed from the earliest date to 2/7/2023. Articles were selected if they provided data on sexual assault hallucinations or sexual fantasies associated with the use of sedative hypnotic drugs including benzodiazepines, propofol, nitric oxide, ether, chloroform, ketamine, or esketamine. Twenty-two citations provided useful information, including 87 cases of hallucinations about sexual assault or sexual fantasy. In several of the cases, the environment and monitoring made the actual occurrence of sexual assault unlikely but there was still significant anguish for the patients and the accused clinicians. In many of the cases, the places of the body where procedures were conducted coincided the area of the body where the patients perceived the sexual assault or fantasy occurred. The higher the dose of sedative hypnotic administered, the greater the risk of experiencing a hallucination about sexual assault or sexual fantasy. The FDA Adverse Events Reporting System has numerous occurrences where "excessive sexual fantasies" and "abnormal dreams" were associated with the use of sedative hypnotic medication but also occurrences of "sexual abuse" as well. While sexual assault hallucinations or fantasies associated with sedative hypnotics are rare, it is imperative that healthcare providers take the necessary precautions and follow recommendations to provide safety for themselves and their patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

sexual assault; benzodiazepines; nitric oxide; propofol; sedative hypnotic; sexual fantasy; sexual hallucination