Low dose naltrexone

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Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) refers to very small doses of the drug naltrexone hydrochloride, which at higher doses treats drug or alcohol dependence. Low dose naltrexone may reduce pain, or potentially neurological symptoms. Brand names of naltrexone include ReViva, Depade, and Vivitrol.[1] LDN use other for treating drug dependence is considered off-label. Some patients report that LDN helps reduce their symptoms of ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibromyalgia (FMS), multiple sclerosis (MS), or autoimmune disease.[2][3][4][5][6] Although its mechanism of action is unclear, some have speculated that it may act as an anti-inflammatory.[7]

Prescription forms[edit | edit source]

LDN is typically prescribed using generic naltrexone hydrochloride or branded naltrexone, divided into much smaller doses. LDN may be taken in the form of liquid solution/syrup, sublingual doses or 1.5mg capsules, or a compounding pharmacy can create smaller sized capsules or tablets. LDN in the form of naltrexone cream, subcutaneous injections, IV naltrexone and eye drops (for dry eyes) are also available.[8]

VLDN and ULDN[edit | edit source]

Very Low Dose Naltrexone (VLDN) and Ultra-Low Dose Naltrexone (ULDN) have recently been used in limited trials, both VLDN and ULDN involve doses of naltrexone significantly below 1mg.[9]

Very Low Dose Naltrexone is increasingly being used under 1mg for people who cannot titrate from 0.5mg to find their individual optimal dose.

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Data shows a graph with 10% worse after treatment, 57% improved or much improved, and 12% very much improved. Darker colors are the most improved sections.
Low Dose Naltrexone results for 29 patients with Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia participants’ (N = 29) self-reported improvement in symptoms after daily LDN treatment. Source: Clin Rheumatol 2014; 33(4):452-459. Fig 1.[7] PMC3962576

Jarred Younger published a small study that concluded "...low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia".[10][11]

A second study concluded that "specific and clinically beneficial impact on fibromyalgia pain".[12][13]

A 2014 review by Stanford researchers suggests that "LDN may operate as a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells. These effects may be unique to low dosages of naltrexone and appear to be entirely independent from naltrexone's better-known activity on opioid receptors. As a daily oral therapy, LDN is inexpensive and well-tolerated."[7]

Relationship between ESR, a marker inflammation, and LDN treatment in 29 patients with Fibromyalgia.

The FDA approved naltrexone HCL in 1984 to treat opioid addiction. Low-dose naltrexone is typically given at about 1/10th the typical dose of naltrexone. By blocking opioid receptors, naltrexone can increase pain, but at very low doses naltrexone has both pain-reducing (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory properties.

In 2012 Solve ME/CFS Initiative contracted Biovista to use drug models to identify existing drugs that may be worth investigating for treatment. The results suggested Naltrexone was worth considering.[14]

Jarred Younger's research suggests that people with an Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) over 40 millimeters an hour, tend to be strong responders to LDN, and that there may be other predictive factors for success.[15]

News articles[edit | edit source]

Clinical use[edit | edit source]

Naltrexone is a prescription drug in many countries including the United States.[16]Compounding chemists or compounding pharmacists can mix naltrexone with a powder filler or dilute in into a liquid to create the lower dose.

Fast-release fillers only[edit | edit source]

The LDN Research Trust advises that: "Pharmacies should be instructed NOT to provide LDN in an "SR" or slow-release or timed-release form. Unless the low dose of naltrexone is in an unaltered form, which permits it to reach a prompt "spike" in the blood stream, its therapeutic effects may be inhibited."[17] and states that calcium carbonate filler should NOT be used because they reduce absorption, instead Avicel, lactose, or sucrose fillers as alternative fast-release fillers."[17]

Do not take with[edit | edit source]

In general, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) should not be taken concurrently with opioid-containing drugs (opioid receptors in brain are blocked by LDN), alcohol, immunosuppressive drugs, or immunomodulator drugs.[citation needed] LDN blocks the effect of opioid drugs.[18] Some opioid drugs are codeine, tramadol, oxycodone, vicodin, hydrocodone, fentanyl and morphine.

Pharmacies[edit | edit source]

Australia[edit | edit source]

Compounding Pharmacies are able to fill these prescriptions, and post if needed.

UK[edit | edit source]

LDN suppliers in the UK include Dickson Chemist in Glasgow, Roseway Labs, and Specialist Pharmacy (The London Specialist Pharmacy Ltd). All these are compounding pharmacies and require a prescription, they are usually able to put patients in contact with private doctors who will consider writing a prescription, and can post medications to you.[19] Compounding pharmacies are regulated by the UK's General Pharmaceutical Council.[19]

United States[edit | edit source]

Neighborhood Compounding Pharmacies are able to fill these prescriptions and mail if needed. Your prescribing doctor can help you locate a compounding pharmacy in your area/state or you can look online.[20]

Other countries[edit | edit source]

Roseway Labs supplies LDN in the EU. The LDN Research Trust lists pharmacies in multiple countries.[21]

Clinical trials[edit | edit source]

A large number of clinical trials have been completed for LDN recently, although none have looked at the effect of LDN on symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Research has been carried out on patients with MS, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, FMS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcerative Colitis, Skin Disorders and a range of other illnesses.[22]

When, How To Take[edit | edit source]

Dr Whitaker states that the ideal dose is different for each person. Some doctors recommend starting at 1mg.[23] Common dosages are 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg.[24][25][18] When beginning use of LDN, the drug must be stepped up over 6-8+ weeks as it may keep you awake; discuss how best to do this with your doctor and pharmacist.[25][26][18]

LDN is usually taken at bedtime. Some people take LDN in the morning to minimize sleep disturbance, insomnia, and vivid dreams.[18]

Talks and webinars[edit | edit source]

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LDNscience® Presents - How LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) Works By LDNscience
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Functional Medicine & LDN (low-dose naltrexone) with Drs Carnahan and Vasquez By Alex Vasquez
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Is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for you? By Integrative Health Solutions

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2009, Fibromyalgia Symptoms Are Reduced by Low-Dose Naltrexone: A Pilot Study[30] - (Full text)
  • 2013, Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels[12] - (Full text)
  • 2014, The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain[7] - (Full text)
  • 2018, Double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over pilot trial of naltrexone to treat Gulf War Illness[31] - (Abstract)
  • 2018, Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—Review of Therapeutic Utilization[32] - (Full text)
  • 2019, Low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)[33] - (Abstract)
  • 2020, Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome[34] - (Full text)
  • 2021, Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channels in Pathophysiology and Treatment[35] - (Full text)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Naltrexone - brand name list from Drugs.com". Drugs.com. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ Bolton, Monica Jane; Chapman, Bryan Paul; Van Marwijk, Harm (January 6, 2020). "Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome". BMJ case reports. 13 (1): e232502. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-232502. ISSN 1757-790X. PMC 6954765. PMID 31911410.
  3. ↑ Bonilla, Hector; Tian, Lu; Marconi, Vincent C.; Shafer, Robert; McComsey, Grace A.; Miglis, Mitchel; Yang, Philip; Bonilla, Andres; Eggert, Lauren; Geng, Linda N. (November 1, 2023). "Low-dose naltrexone use for the management of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19". International Immunopharmacology. 124: 110966. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110966. ISSN 1567-5769. PMC 11028858. PMID 37804660.
  4. ↑ Toljan, Karlo; Vrooman, Bruce (September 21, 2018). "Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—Review of Therapeutic Utilization". Medical Sciences. 6 (4): 82. doi:10.3390/medsci6040082. ISSN 2076-3271. PMC 6313374. PMID 30248938.
  5. ↑ Driver, C. Noelle; D’Souza, Ryan S. (April 3, 2023). "Efficacy of Low-Dose Naltrexone and Predictors of Treatment Success or Discontinuation in Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain Conditions: A Fourteen-Year, Enterprise-Wide Retrospective Analysis". Biomedicines. 11 (4): 1087. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11041087. ISSN 2227-9059. PMC 10135963. PMID 37189705.
  6. ↑ Brook, Jill. "Results of the LDN Side Effects Survey" (PDF). LDN Research Trush. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Younger, Jarred; Parkitny, Luke; McLain, David (February 15, 2014). "The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain". Clin Rheumatol. 33 (4): 451–459. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2517-2. PMID 24526250.
  8. ↑ "Types of LDN". LDN Research Trust. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  9. ↑ Toljan, Karlo; Vrooman, Bruce (September 21, 2018). "Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—Review of Therapeutic Utilization". Medical Sciences. 6 (4). doi:10.3390/medsci6040082. ISSN 2076-3271. PMID 30248938.
  10. ↑ Younger, Jarred; Mackey, Sean (April 22, 2009). "Fibromyalgia Symptoms Are Reduced by Low-Dose Naltrexone: A Pilot Study". Pain Med. 10 (4): 663–672. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00613.x. PMID 2891387.
  11. ↑ Mackey, Sean (May 1, 2009). "An Update on Fibromyalgia". Research Channel (USA).
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Younger, Jarred; Noor, Noorulain; McCue, Rebecca; Mackey, Sean (January 28, 2013). "Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels". Arthritis Rheum. 65 (2): 529–38. doi:10.1002/art.37734. PMID 23359310.
  13. ↑ "Low Dose Naltrexone for Fibromyalgia". Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab | Stanford Medicine. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  14. ↑ Solve ME/CFS Initiative. "Biovista work released".
  15. ↑ Younger, Jarred; Cohen, Joseph M (March 29, 2016). "Dr. Jarred Younger: Cutting Edge Research on CFS, Neuroinflammation, Pain, and Fatigue" (video interview with transcript). Self Hacked Blog.
  16. ↑ Feeney, G. F. X.; Connor, J.P.; Young, R. McD; Tucker, J.; Czajkowski, F. (2001). "Adherence with naltrexone prescription advice in hospital outpatient alcohol rehabilitation programme". Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 26 (1): 73–79. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2001.00326.x. ISSN 1365-2710.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Low-dose Naltrexone (LDN) Fact Sheet 2014" (PDF). LDN Research Trust. 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Chopra, Pradeep. "Low Dose Naltrexone and chronic pain". LDN Research Trust. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Compounding processes regulations/". Roseway Labs.
  20. ↑ Finding a Compounding Pharmacy - WIKI How
  21. ↑ "LDN Pharmacists". LDN Research Trust.
  22. ↑ "Clinical Trials". LDN Research Trust. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  23. ↑ LDN Now. "LDN Dosing". Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  24. ↑ Myers, Amy (May 2, 2017). "Low-Dose Naltrexone for Autoimmunity?". Amy Myers MD. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Dr Whitaker. "What is Low-Dose Naltrexone?". drwhitaker.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) – Collier Drug Store". collierdrug.com. What dose of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is best?. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  27. ↑ "LDNscience® Presents - How LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) Works". YouTube. LDNscience. December 20, 2012.
  28. ↑ Carnahan, Jill; Vasquez, Alex (November 30, 2015). "Functional Medicine & LDN (low-dose naltrexone) with Drs Carnahan and Vasquez". YouTube. Alex Vasquez.
  29. ↑ "1:05 / 7:05 Is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for you?". YouTube. October 11, 2015.
  30. ↑ Younger, Jarred; Mackey, Sean (May 2009). "Fibromyalgia Symptoms Are Reduced by Low-Dose Naltrexone: A Pilot Study". Pain Medicine. 10 (4): 663–672. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00613.x. ISSN 1526-2375. PMC 2891387. PMID 19453963.
  31. ↑ Brewer, Kori L.; Mainhart, Allison; Meggs, William J. (2018). "Double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over pilot trial of naltrexone to treat Gulf War Illness". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 6 (3): 132–140. doi:10.1080/21641846.2018.1477034.
  32. ↑ Toljan, Karlo; Vrooman, Bruce (September 21, 2018). "Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—Review of Therapeutic Utilization". Medical Sciences. 6 (4): 82. doi:10.3390/medsci6040082. ISSN 2076-3271. PMC 6313374. PMID 30248938.
  33. ↑ Polo, Olli; Pesonen, Pia; Tuominen, Essi (November 19, 2019). "Low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 7 (4): 207–217. doi:10.1080/21641846.2019.1692770. ISSN 2164-1846.
  34. ↑ Bolton, Monica Jane; Chapman, Bryan Paul; Van Marwijk, Harm (January 2020). "Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome". BMJ Case Reports. 13 (1): e232502. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-232502. ISSN 1757-790X. PMC 6954765. PMID 31911410.
  35. ↑ Cabanas, Helene; Muraki, Katsuhiko; Eaton-Fitch, Natalie; Staines, Donald Ross; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya (2021). "Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channels in Pathophysiology and Treatment". Frontiers in Immunology. 12: 687806. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.687806. ISSN 1664-3224. PMC 8313851. PMID 34326841.
  36. ↑ "Low Dose Naltrexone |". LDN Research Trust. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  37. ↑ Ringerike, Tove; Pike, Eva; Nevjar, Janicke; Klemp, Marianne (2015), The Use of Naltrexone in Low Doses Beyond the Approved Indication, NIPH
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