Use of propranolol for hypersexual behavior in an adolescent with autism

To report a case of an adolescent with autism with clinically significant hypersexual behaviors in whom a trial of low-dose propranolol led to major clinical improvement.

This case report describes a 13-year-old boy with a history of autism who presented to the outpatient psychiatric clinic for hypersexual behaviors that started at the onset of puberty. The behaviors affected his functioning both at school and home. A trial of low-dose propranolol, 0.3 mg/kg/d (10 mg twice a day), targeting hypersexual behavior led to remarkable clinical improvement. The behaviors remained stable on this dose of propranolol for 1 year.

Hypersexual behavior exhibited by adolescent patients with autism can be a big challenge to manage. The literature on pharmacological options to manage these behaviors in children and adolescents with autism is limited. Clinical data of propranolol use are novel.

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of low-dose propranolol leading to clinically significant improvement in hypersexual behaviors in an adolescent with autism. Propranolol use may expand the choice of treatment option in this patient population.