Naltrexone

Naltrexone is in a class of medication known as opioid receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the effects of narcotic drugs and is used to prevent substance abuse in people who have been addicted to alcohol or opioid pain medications. In addition to the antagonist effect on opioid receptors, naltrexone simultaneously has an antagonist effect on non-opioid receptors. It is via the non-opioid antagonist path that Naltrexone at low dose (LDN) is thought to exert its anti-inflammatory effects. Basic science evidence supports that concept by showing that low- and high-dose opioid antagonists have quite different impacts on the physiologic system. As a rule of thumb, low dose would range from 0.5 to 4.5 mg daily.

Naltrexone is almost completely absorbed (96%), but its oral bioavailability ranges between 5% and 40% due to first-pass metabolism.

Benefits

Use of low dose naltrexone (LDN) for inflammatory diseases, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions, cancer and mood disorders

Low doses of naltrexone have been shown to reduce symptom severity in:

  • multiple sclerosis
  • fibromyalgia
  • Crohn’s disease
  • cancer
  • complex regional pain syndrome, and other chronic pain disorders.
  • depression

Use of LDN for Weight Loss

LDN can help balance the emotional hormones in your body (such as reversing low dopamin’s effects), thereby reducing your desire to snack out of anxiety. It also helps curb your cravings through an appetite-suppressant effect that helps you feel full for longer periods of time.

Use in Sleep disorders

Naltrexone has been shown to help improve sleeping patterns significantly in patients with sleep apnea.

Active Ingredient : Naltrexone 1.5mg

Product Form : Capsules – 30 caps

Recommended Dosage

  • For Pain Management and inflammatory diseases : Typically 0.5 mg at bedtime for several weeks, followed by 0.5 to 1.0 mg incremental increases over a 1- to 3-month period up to the maximum dose of 4.5mg.
    If a patient is at the typical maximum dose of 4.5 mg and symptoms return, the clinician should consider reducing or discontinuing LDN for 1 to 2 weeks, then reinitiating medication at a lower dose and building back up to a maximum effective dosage. When inflammatory markers are used to diagnose or follow a patient’s progress (eg, ESR, CRP) it is important to track these levels and correlate them with changes in symptomatology.
  • Weight Loss & Sleep Disorders : 1.5 to 4.5mg per day preferably at bedtime. If patients report nightmares then take the dose in the morning with or without food. Can be used in combination with hormone therapies, nutrients/supplements and dietary/lifestyle changes.
  • Depression : 1 mg 2 times a day for 2 weeks at bedtime.

Contraindications and interactions

Naltrexone is contraindicated for known drug allergy and in hepatitis and kidney disorder patients.

Side effects and Special Precautions

  • Can cause liver damage if taken in doses larger than what is recommended.
  • Vivid dreams which decreases after a few nights
  • Headache, dizziness or drowsiness
  • Stomach pain or cramping
  • Treats fibromyalgia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
  • Naltrexone shouldn't be used by people who are still using opioids or drinking large amount of alcohol or who are currently experiencing withdrawal syndromes.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Naltrexone might harm an unborn baby. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Naltrexone during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.