Low Dose Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. It blocks the effects of alcohol and opioid medications, preventing the euphoria and intoxication these substances cause, and it also helps reduce the urge or cravings to use alcohol or opioids. Taking a dose of naltrexone that is 10% of the dose that is usually taken for opioid addiction is referred to as low dose naltrexone (LDN).

Low dose naltrexone works by “tricking” the brain into producing more natural opioids in our body, which makes us feel good and provides pain relief. Low dose naltrexone also appears to have anti-inflammatory effects, by regulating a special type of cells (microglial cells) that have a key role in the central nervous system.

Low dose naltrexone has been used to treat:

• autoimmune thyroid disorders
• cancer
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• chronic and systemic inflammation
• chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• fibromyalgia
• Gulf War syndrome
• lupus
• multiple sclerosis
• myalgic encephalomyelitis
• psoriasis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Using low dose naltrexone for these conditions is “off-label” (which means it hasn't been approved by the FDA but it is still a recognized use). Most studies investigating low dose naltrexone have been small with most reporting a favorable effect for conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, and pain. Research has shown low dose naltrexone is safe, well tolerated, inexpensive, and has minimal side effects.

Our compounding pharmacy prepares low dose naltrexone in various dosage forms to offer you options that better suit your specific needs:

• capsules
• topical lipoderm cream
• oral liquid/suspension