The Myriad Benefits of Low Dose Naltrexone

By: Physicians Preference RX

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has emerged as a fascinating topic in the realm of medical research and treatment, offering potential benefits for a variety of conditions. To fully appreciate its current relevance, it is essential to understand the history and pharmacological foundation of naltrexone itself.

The History and Purpose of Naltrexone

Naltrexone was first synthesized in the 1960s and received FDA approval in 1984 for the treatment of opioid addiction. As an opioid antagonist, naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, effectively preventing the euphoric and sedative effects of drugs like heroin and morphine. This property made it an effective tool for helping individuals maintain sobriety after detoxification. Later, in 1994, naltrexone was also approved for treating alcohol dependence, as it was found to reduce the craving for alcohol and the risk of relapse.

Traditionally, naltrexone is prescribed in doses ranging from 50 to 100 mg per day for these purposes. However, recent research has explored its use in much lower doses—typically between 0.5 mg and 4.5 mg—resulting in a different set of pharmacological effects. This alternative application, known as Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), is not yet FDA-approved for these new uses, but its off-label potential is increasingly recognized by physicians and researchers alike.

How Low Dose Naltrexone Works

In low doses, naltrexone exerts a markedly different effect compared to its traditional, higher-dose counterpart. While standard doses of naltrexone primarily block opioid receptors to prevent the effects of opioid drugs, LDN functions by temporarily blocking these receptors for a few hours. This brief blockage leads to a rebound effect where the body increases its production of endorphins—natural painkillers and immune modulators.

Endorphins, in turn, bind to opioid receptors and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, LDN is believed to modulate the immune system by interacting with microglial cells, which play a role in neuroinflammation. By reducing the activation of these cells, LDN may help lower inflammation in the central nervous system, offering relief in conditions marked by chronic inflammation.

This mechanism is why LDN is being studied for a variety of autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions. It presents a novel approach to treating conditions where the immune system is in overdrive, causing pain, inflammation, and tissue damage.

The Benefits of Low Dose Naltrexone

Research into LDN has revealed a range of potential benefits, particularly in the areas of immune function and inflammation. Some of the most notable benefits include:

1. Enhanced Immune Function: LDN has been observed to balance the immune system, potentially reducing the severity of autoimmune responses.
2. Reduction in Inflammatory Reactions: By modulating the activity of microglial cells and increasing endorphin levels, LDN helps to decrease inflammation throughout the body.
3. Pain Relief: Many patients report significant reductions in chronic pain, likely due to LDN’s ability to increase endorphin production.
4. Improved Mood and Cognitive Function: The increase in endorphins may also contribute to better mood and clarity of thought, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with conditions like fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.

Conditions Treated with Low Dose Naltrexone

LDN’s unique properties have made it a subject of interest in treating a variety of conditions, particularly those involving chronic pain, inflammation, and immune dysfunction. Here are some of the conditions where LDN has shown promise:

• Psoriasis: A study published in Clinical Rheumatology found that LDN significantly reduced symptoms in patients with psoriasis (1).
• Crohn’s Disease: Research from The American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that LDN improved symptoms and induced remission in some patients with Crohn’s disease (2).
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): While the research is still in the early stages, some studies suggest that LDN may slow the progression of ALS by reducing neuroinflammation (3).
• Lyme Disease: Patients with Lyme disease have reported improvements in symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and pain after consistent use of LDN.
• Fibromyalgia: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism indicated that LDN reduced fibromyalgia pain by more than 30% in a majority of patients (4).

For a more comprehensive list of conditions that may be improved with LDN, visit LDNresearchtrust.org.

What Can You Expect with LDN?

LDN is generally safe and well-tolerated, but as with any medication, it can have side effects. Most people tolerate LDN without any significant issues, but some may experience gastrointestinal upset or vivid dreams, particularly when starting the therapy. 

If gastrointestinal symptoms occur, taking LDN with food can help mitigate these effects. In cases of vivid dreams, it’s advisable to take the dose in the morning rather than at night. Should other symptoms arise, it may be beneficial to lower the dose for about 10 days before gradually increasing it to the optimal level.

It’s also important to have realistic expectations regarding the timeline of symptom improvement. While some individuals notice a reduction in pain and inflammation after just a few doses, others may require several weeks or even months to experience significant benefits. For example, patients with Lyme disease often report that brain fog improves after about six months of continuous use. Similarly, immune stabilization typically occurs within the same timeframe. Therefore, it’s recommended to give LDN at least a six-month trial before assessing its full therapeutic potential.

LDN Formulations at Physicians Preference Pharmacy

At Physicians Preference Pharmacy, we understand that every patient’s needs are unique, which is why we offer LDN in multiple formulations to suit different preferences and medical requirements:

• Oral Capsules: Available in doses ranging from 0.5 mg to 6 mg, these capsules are convenient for daily use and can be tailored to the precise dose recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Sublingual Tablets: For those who prefer or require an alternative to oral capsules, sublingual tablets provide a similar range of doses (0.5 mg to 3.5 mg) and offer the advantage of rapid absorption under the tongue.
• Topical Cream: This 1% cream is ideal for patients who may have difficulty swallowing pills or who experience gastrointestinal side effects. The cream allows for localized application, which can be particularly beneficial for targeting specific areas of pain or inflammation.

It’s important to note that not all LDN formulations are created equal; your source for quality LDN matters. Physicians Preference Pharmacy takes pride in exceeding industry standards for quality and safety. Our pharmacy’s stringent quality control processes surpass those of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Not only do we conduct rigorous onsite weight testing, but we also send multiple samples per week to an independent laboratory for potency testing. Our commitment to quality has earned us a top ranking in Houston for the number of samples sent for potency testing, placing us in the top 8% of pharmacies nationwide.

Should You Consider LDN?

Along with a modified dietary regimen limiting gluten, dairy, and yeast, LDN can make managing inflammation related to both skin and autoimmune conditions much more feasible. Given that over one-third of the U.S. population experiences chronic pain, inflammation, or an autoimmune condition, there’s a significant chance that you could benefit from compounded LDN. If you believe LDN might be right for you, discuss it with your healthcare provider today.

For a deeper dive into Low Dose Naltrexone, including its benefits, potential side effects, and how it can be incorporated into your treatment plan, watch our webinar on LDN.  

We Are Here to Help

Are you ready to get your life back? If you are experiencing symptoms from an autoimmune condition or any of the conditions described above or want to learn more about our compounded low dose naltrexone, please call our pharmacists today at 281-828-9088 with any questions. Our compounded preparations do require a prescription from your provider. It will be our privilege to serve you!

References

1. Younger, Jarred et al. “The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain.” Clinical Rheumatology vol. 33,4 (2014): 451-9. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2517-2
2. Smith, Jill P et al. “Low-dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn’s disease.” The American Journal of Gastroenterology. vol. 102,4 (2007): 820-8. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01045.x
3. Skulstad Johanson, Gard Aasmund et al. “Use of Off-Label Drugs and Nutrition Supplements among Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Norway.” Neurology Research International vol. 2022 1789946. 12 Apr. 2022, doi:10.1155/2022/1789946
4. Younger, Jarred et al. “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 and Rheumatism vol. 65,2 (2013): 529-38. doi:10.1002/art.37734