Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Why do people take low dose naltrexone (LDN)
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is thought to reduce chronic pain and lower inflammation in the body. Many people have taken it for Fibromyalgia. It seems to act as an anti-inflammatory for the Central Nervous System (CNS) and modulate the immune system. That means it enhances the body’s immune response. Low Dose Naltrexone is also promoted for increasing endorphin levels in the body, which triggers positive feelings and reducing fatigue and brain fog. In some people, LDN has shown to improve sleep patterns.
Other people use LDN for weight loss. Weight loss does not occur quickly with Naltrexone, but those who stick to the regimen may enjoy long-term benefits. Some research shows it helps lower insulin resistance (insulin resistance can lead to weight gain) and other studies indicate it also can moderate the body’s appetite. LDN is thought to send signals to the brain that tell the body it is not hungry, so the desire to overeat dissipates.
LDN certainly does not work for everyone and works best in combination with other treatment regimens. It must be used with a healthy diet and exercise regimen and usually works best with other treatment modalities based on the condition you want to treat. For example, for weight loss, it is used well with Wellbutrin (Bupropion) in a combination capsule (click here for more information).
What drugs should I avoid while taking LDN?
Do not take LDN with opioids. If taken with Opioids it may result in precipitation of opioid withdrawal symptoms and decrease the effectiveness of the opioids. Do not take it with bremelanotide (PT 141) as the two taken together may make the Naltrexone ineffective. Finally, do not take LDN with opioid antagonists (Naldemedine, Naloxegol) as it may result in an increased risk of opioid withdrawal.
To minimize the risk of withdrawal syndrome, patients should be opioid-free for at least 7-10 days prior to starting LDN.
What are the possible side effects of LDN?
It’s generally well-tolerated. As with most medications you can find people that have reported headaches, dizziness, changes in sleep patterns, or stomach upset.
Reviews of LDN
(found online)
“I cannot believe how this med naltrexone has helped my fibro. I've tried many meds and always have side effects. The only side effect I have with this is a bit of sleepiness but I take it at night. I'm still on a starting dose of 1.5 but it’s AMAZING!!!!”-Jill Z.
“I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and severe arthritis in my neck. Naltrexone is the only drug that has worked - and has worked without the nasty side effects of other drugs. Hope this info helps!”-RP
“I have suffered from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for over 15 years. I tried so many different medications in that time, none helped. Then I was prescribed low-dose Naltrexone by a specialist. It helped immensely, I felt better within two weeks. I was able to get up on the exam table without a thought. Before any exertion at all was difficult, painful, and would leave me sore and exhausted for up to a week. I feel almost normal now. My dose is on the high end for a low dose at 5mg, and I have to get it at a compounding pharmacy. My doctor said it works for about 50% of patients. I suggest reading up on the mechanism of action before asking for a prescription. In short, it stimulates natural endorphins and has a mild anti-autoimmune effect. It only stays in your system for four hours. Always check for drug interactions. Good luck!”-Bina
“I just started low dose naltrexone 1.5 for Fibromyalgia (FM). I immediately saw a difference. No more body pain. At first, I thought I could just be having a good week without much pain. But after two weeks I can't believe how good I feel. For 6 yrs I was in pain every day. I took Motrin every day until I had an AFib episode. Now I can't take any NSAIDs. I'm so happy my doctor prescribed me this. I feel like I'm 40 again. I'm now 54 and I suffered for 6 yrs not know what was wrong with me.”-DI
“LDN saved my life. I spent years thinking I just had bad depression & PTSD thanks to all the trauma. At 25 though, I got hit with a wave of intense brain fog. I couldn't read a paragraph & retain the information, leaving the oven on, front door unlocked, driving my marriage into the ground because I wouldn't remember conversations, getting lost in the grocery store, having to withdraw from my college classes. It was this bad for nearly a year. Getting the Fibro diagnosis only tanked my morale. I felt like an 85-year-old with dementia, & have a disease most people think is BS. Yay! I've been on LDN for 3 months now & found those 50 IQ points I had lost in the fog. I'm no longer an elderly young person! I'm reading books, back in school & getting 100% on assignments. I'm BACK & the only change I made is LDN & while I never cared about the fibro pain ("pain is weakness leaving the body, oorah!"-my favorite drill sergeant) the flare-ups are less intense, shorter, & easier to manage.”-bp
“I have been taking Naltrexone LDN for fibro for about 2 years now. The difference is amazing, like a miracle. At 42, I felt like I was 90. My body was just inflamed and in constant pain. When I moved everything felt tight, sore, and painful. My inflammation was very high and my doctor put me on 9mg of LDN to start. I was at that dose for about 9 months and my inflammation was still very high and I was also still struggling to lose weight. My doctor upped the LDN to the full dose naltrexone level of 50mg to help with the weight loss and it did, between the 9mg and 50mg I lost 30lbs. However, the 50mg dose was a little too high for me, as it made me so sleepy, so I dropped it down to roughly 32mg, but I take it in split doses of 16mg, 12 hours apart. That has proved to be my perfect dose. I no longer have any body aches or pains, I wake up feeling 20 again and the naltrexone gives me energy throughout the day. I also have hypothyroidism and lack of energy had been a huge problem for me as well.”-TS
“I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2013. I tried the traditional medications and none helped and I suffered with horrible side effects. I stopped medical treatment in 2016 because I was so frustrated with spending money and getting no improvement. In November of this year at the advice of my primary care doctor I saw a rheumatologist. He listened and recommended the LDN. My pain level dropped tremendously. I suffered from burning aching pain in my back and legs. I've been on the medication for about 3 weeks. I really have not experienced any side effects.”-Memphis
“I started low dose naltrexone (LDN) for Fibromyalgia after years of feeling like a lab rat! It is amazing I no longer feel like I am in a fog, everything is so much clearer. Pain is minimal, I have still had an occasional flare but few and far between and mainly when I over do it. I feel like I have gotten my life back. I do take it in the morning 4.5mg because it had been causing insomnia.”-Sara
“Diagnosed 30 years ago with fibro. Pretty miserable. I tried antidepressants, opiates, muscle relaxers, as well as non medical therapies. For me the LDN (low dose naltrexone) gave more energy and less burning pain. It's also much less expensive than Lyrica with fewer side effects.”-Peony
I will never go without this medicine. I’m not somebody who likes to take meds. If you had a bad reaction maybe try very low-dose for a long time and slowly build up. By the way when I first got it I tried the whole dose and I was a mess. That’s why I went slow.”-Ann
“I take this for my fibromyalgia at 4.5mg dose. I had the weird night time dreams/sweats, etc at first, so I switched to taking it in the morning for the rest of the first month. After that I switched back to taking it at night because I took other medications at that time and struggled to remember my low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in the morning. It doesn’t disturb my sleep anymore and I wake up refreshed most days. If I know I’m going to have a physically taxing day, I will skip my evening dose and take it first thing in the morning. I’ve found this enables me to go all day without pain or feeling overly tired. I highly suggest people research how the drug works when deciding what time of day to take it, and before giving up on taking it. It took me 3 months to notice improvement and I’m glad I stuck with taking it. I’ll never go off.”-Mama Red
“I was on the verge of leaving my job and applying for a disability pension when I started LDN (low dose naltrexone) for fibromyalgia, it took a while to get the right dosage that works (I'm now on 6mg) but it has saved my life. It stops the pain, most days the tender points aren't tender at all. Feeling extremely grateful for being virtually cured.”-Qlder
“After 4 weeks of low dose naltrexone (LDN), it has reduced my Fibromyalgia pain from an 8 to about a 2-3. I have fatigue I still struggle with but it has also given me a boost in energy as well. I am able to keep a full-time job that I almost had to quit and have been able to do more and more outside of work than I was for years. I’ve had Fibromyalgia for 4 years and tried many medications and this is the only one that has helped. I had to go online to finally find a Dr to prescribe it. I currently take 3.0mg and is absolutely worth a try.”-anonymous
“I've been taking 4.5 mg naltrexone for about 45 days. It has helped my pain better than anything in the 20 years I have been suffering from fibro. I still have some bad days but for now, I'm seeing more good days and even a great day or two and far fewer bad days. Until now I was having pain every day in my life. I had to see many a dr and had not even heard of this medicine for fibro. I'm getting my life back on track at last.”-Tina
How do I get started on Low Dose Naltrexone?
Make your FREE health consultation with Barbara Grubbs, NP online. Text or email if you need an appointment outside of the listed availability online. BarbaraGrubbs@TeleMedicinePractitioners.com 803.900.5758
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Medication is compounded at a certified pharmacy and shipped to your door.
4.5mg seems to be the most effective dose but I can get other dosages based on our decision when we meet.
30 tablets $180
90 tablets $240 (much better deal and recommended as you want to give therapy 90 days to work)
You can get 10% off your total when you combine any of my services (excluding lab work) so be sure to check out Oxytocin, LIpotropics, Glutathione for your immune system, and Vitamin D therapy.
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