Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids such as morphine, heroin or codeine. It was originally used to treat dependence on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as treatment for alcoholism.

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been used for over a decade for the treatment and prevention of various disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that LDN can promote health by supporting immune function which may reduce various cancer and inflammatory autoimmune processes.

In 2005, the University of Iowa College of Medicine reported that there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that in low doses naltrexone not only prevents relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) but also reduces the progression of the disease. In 2008, a sixth month phase II multicenter-pilot trial of LDN was carried out in 40 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), and concluded “our data clearly indicate that LDN is safe and well tolerated in patients with PPMS.”

Opioid antagonists such as naltrexone have been shown to play a role in healing and repair of tissues. In an open-labeled pilot prospective trial, LDN was reported to be well tolerated and clinically effective in patients with active Crohn’s disease.

At low doses (4.5 mg), naltrexone may reverse central and peripheral inflammation. In a pilot clinical trial at the Division of Pain Management, Stanford University, the effectiveness of low-dose naltrexone in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia was evaluated. Low-dose naltrexone therapy resulted in greater than 30% reduction of symptoms of fibromyalgia. Pain thresholds were improved by the drug. Side effects were rare, minor and transient. Researchers concluded that low-dose naltrexone may be an effective, highly tolerable, and inexpensive treatment for fibromyalgia.

Ask our compounding pharmacist for more information about Low-Dose Naltrexone preparations.

References

Med Hypotheses. 2009 Mar;72(3):333-7.
Med Hypotheses 2005; 64(4):721-4
Mult Scler. 2008 Sep;14(8):1076-83.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2007 Apr;102(4):820-8.
Pain Med. 2009 May-Jun;10(4):663-72.