Many times, we compound medications in doses that are not commercially available. For example, naltrexone is a drug that is commercially available only as 50 mg oral tablets which are used to help manage alcohol or opioid dependence (“addiction”). Accumulating evidence indicates that low dose naltrexone (LDN) can stimulate the immune system and reduce autoimmune and cancer processes. LDN may also play a role in healing and repair of tissues, as well as relieving stress, helping with social bonding, emotional well-being, and improving symptoms of autism and depression.
LDN has reduced symptom severity in conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and complex regional pain syndrome. The researchers report that LDN may operate as a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells. These effects may be unique to low dosages of naltrexone and appear to be entirely independent from naltrexone's better-known activity on opioid receptors. LDN may represent one of the first “glial cell modulators” to be used for the management of chronic pain disorders. Clin Rheumatol. 2014 Feb 15. [Epub ahead of print]
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has also been shown to increase the effects of opioid growth factor (OGF), which inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells, slows the growth of cancer cells, and triggers immune-related death of cancer cells. OGF has been the subject of several preclinical and Phase I and II clinical trials in pancreatic and hepatocellular cancers (and published case reports in neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma), as well as pre-clinical research in ovarian cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2013; 238(5):579-87
Although sleep disturbances are rare, some patients using LDN have reported vivid dreams. To avoid this, therapy can be started with a lower dose and increased slowly over two months.
Since LDN is not commercially available, the medication must be compounded. Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is available only by prescription from our pharmacy.