Naltrexone, Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) | Research Trials Reference | Helpful Reference Links
FAQS Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
- How can I get LDN?
- Naltrexone can be prescribed by your doctor and can be made by a reliable compounding pharmacy.
- Naltrexone is available in a 50 mg dosage form. However, the compounding pharmacist can decrease the dose to a dose necessary for LDN.
- Please note: Do not be afraid to approach your doctor about this. Many doctors are very open to new suggestions and appreciate the patient research. If you feel comfortable, provide the doctor with some references.
- How much does it cost?
- LDN is very inexpensive.
- Mark Drugs Pricing:
Naltrexone 1.5 to 4.5 mg tablets or capsules: $0.50 to $1/day
- What dose should I take and when should I take it?
- LDN is usually prescribed as 4.5 mg by mouth every night. It is best to take it in between 9 P.M. and 3 A.M.
- In patients with M.S., it is recommended to take 3mg to 4.5mg daily.
- Many patients will start with 1.5mg for a week at bedtime, increase to 3mg for a week and stabilize at 4.5mg daily
- Therapeutic dosage range: 1.5mg-4.5mg every night at bedtime
- What are the side effects?
- No significant side effects.
- During the first week of taking it, the patient may experience trouble sleeping; however, this side effect usually subsides after the first week. If it does not, the dose can be lowered from 4.5mg to 3 mg or timing may be changed to a morning dosage.
- What should I watch out for?
- LDN should not be taken with opioid agonists (narcotic medication). The patient must wait until the opioid agonist is completely out of the system and that they can substitute with non-narcotic pain medication before starting LDN.
- Patients who are taking thyroid hormone replacement for Hashimoto’s thyroid. Medication adjustment s may become necessary.
- When will LDN become FDA approved?
- Naltrexone 50 mg is an FDA approved product.
- In 2006, Dr. Jill Smith of Pennsylvania State University tested LDN in Crohn’s disease and NIH grant of $500,000 to further testing. As further testing is done, the product will hopefully have more FDA approved indications within several years.
- It is very legal and ethical for physicians to prescribe LDN as an off-label indication.