Low-dose Naltrexone (LDN), usually in strengths of one-tenth or less of the standard dose of naltrexone, has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions.
Naltrexone was approved by the FDA in 1984 for prescription in high doses to wean opioid addicts off their dependency. These doses are typically in the range of 50-100 mg a day.
Some of the main conditions that Low-dose Naltrexone has been found to be highly beneficial for are:
- Fibromyalgia
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Depression
Most research into the treatment of these conditions has found that
a daily dosage of around 4.5 mg is adequate. However, depending on the individual patient’s response, it can vary a few milligrams above or below that value. In these conditions and at these levels, naltrexone has been found to exert both
analgesic (pain relief) and
anti-inflammatory effects.
There is also a large body of ongoing research into the possible benefits of LDN in other conditions. Amongst the most promising so far are
chronic pain (especially Complex Regional Pain Syndrome),
Grave’s Disease (overactive thyroid),
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), many forms of
arthritis (including psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), and several female-only conditions such as
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS),
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and
Dysmenorrhea.
Doctors can prescribe LDN in a specific strength, which we can now supply in oral capsules that match this. Until now, there has been no reliable and professional channel by which a required dose can be dispensed to meet the strength that prescribing doctors set to match the specific requirements of their patients. Now, in association with a large laboratory in the US that specializes in
compounding medications and that produces a full range of LDN strengths in a convenient format, we can supply the
appropriate dose made in a safe and professional environment exactly to match the prescription. For more information about compounding, refer to our guide
here.
Dosage
The prescribing doctor sets the dose according to each patient’s condition. Although LDN has not yet been approved in lower doses for any conditions, it is widely prescribed
off-label for many.
Storage
Store the capsules in the same container that they were shipped to you, and keep them in a cool, dark space out of the reach of children. Please
consult our blog on safe medicine management.
Common Questions about Low Dose Naltrexone
What is naltrexone off-label prescribed for?
Naltrexone in low doses is being more commonly prescribed off-label to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and treat conditions and diseases such as immune dysfunction.
How fast does naltrexone work?
Naltrexone achieves therapeutic effectiveness rapidly. Peak blood concentration is reached within one hour of dosing, and the drug has an elimination half-life of 13 hours.
Why take naltrexone at night?
Most doctors recommend that patients take LDN at bedtime. Naltrexone has been reported to improve sleep patterns in most patients, which leads to improvements in metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and reduced pain levels.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Read the information leaflet that comes with the medication.
Most people who use Low-dose Naltrexone do not experience any adverse side effects. Doctors prescribe this medication because they assess the benefits of such treatment outweigh any likely unwanted effects.
Even in the much stronger doses for which naltrexone is prescribed as approved by the FDA (50-100mg daily), there are very few reported side effects, and naltrexone therapy is considered fully safe for humans. In clinical trials of LDN, there have been a few reports of vivid dreaming and insomnia in the initial stages, but these are usually self-resolved with ongoing use.
Not all side effects are listed here. If these or other unlisted symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Low-dose Naltrexone has a very wide range of possible benefits, most of which are still under investigation. The most common conditions for which it is already being prescribed off-label are:
- Crohn’s Disease: Doctors have reported a 70-point decrease in the Crohn’s disease activity index and remission in 67% of their patients.
- Multiple sclerosis: Trials have reported significant benefits for mental health per quality of life indices.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): LDN has considerably improved symptoms in patients, allowing significant reductions in the use of other strong analgesic drugs.
- Fibromyalgia: A study on the use of LDN measured daily assessment of symptoms. More than half of the patients’ satisfaction with life and mood was significantly better while taking LDN.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A study in Israel found that more than 75% of patients reported pain-free days and symptom relief.
Many other conditions are being investigated and have positive findings. Doctors are increasingly resorting to LDN either as a cohort therapy along with existing approved medications, or as a stand-alone off-label treatment thanks to the growing body of evidence that naltrexone offers unique benefits when administered in far lower strengths than its currently approved form.