This cohort of patients reported LDN use alone for an average of 1095 days (∼3 years), with an individual range of LDN use being 30–2169 days. A retrospective study was conducted on patients at Penn State Hershey Medical Center diagnosed with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis between 2006 and 2015. Naltrexone hasn’t been reported to interact with supplements or foods.
Allergic reaction
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking naltrexone. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. For individuals without severe hepatic disease, there does not appear to be any need to frequently monitor hepatic function.
You will need to stop using opioids for at least 7 to 10 days before you can start taking naltrexone. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. It works by blocking the effects of opioids, especially the euphoric and rewarding feeling that makes you want to use them. It also may block the euphoric and rewarding feeling that may make you want to use alcohol.
- It has been shown in numerous studies to reduce heavy drinking, frequency of drinking, cravings for alcohol and relapse to alcohol dependence.
- Getting dextro-naltrexone to clinical trials would require a great deal of time and money to navigate the necessary FDA and other regulations to ensure patient safety.
- There is also the potential for unknown or delayed adverse effects that may not surface until after extended use.
- Always consult a healthcare provider before using LDN for any condition.
Typical Dosage Ranges
Headaches are another potential side effect of LDN, though they are generally temporary and resolve with time. A small number of patients report experiencing these headaches, which are usually mild and diminish as the body adjusts to the medication. Low-dose naltrexone offers pain relief and immune support, but long-term use may carry side effects that require monitoring. There are numerous online forums and support groups where patients share their LDN experiences. Patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other gastrointestinal issues have turned to LDN for relief. Its ability to modulate the immune response aids in inflammation reduction, making it a possible treatment option.
What may interact with this medication?
By blocking the effects of opioids, it removes the “high,” which can deter use and support ongoing recovery. It can also be a valuable option for individuals who can’t or don’t want to use the other gold-standard opioid-based treatments like methadone or buprenorphine. Each avoided binge, brief recurrence, or full return to use is meaningful, and for many, naltrexone makes those wins possible.
How Long to See Benefits of Low-Dose Naltrexone?
The goal isn’t to power through discomfort but to fine-tune the process so LDN supports your recovery without adding new challenges. LDN is a nuanced medication, working quietly in the background to help regulate systems that are often out of balance in chronic conditions and recovery. However, its effectiveness hinges on understanding these key interactions.
What should I avoid when taking Low Dose Naltrexone?
Further observation will need to be carried out to determine how common this adverse event is and how to best manage it. The medication is commonly given approximately an hour before bedtime, though some individuals reporting insomnia as a side effect are moved to a morning dosing. Individuals with side effects also have their dosage reduced to 3.0 mg. At the time of writing, naltrexone is commercially available only in a 50-mg tablet form, although one US-based company appears marijuana addiction to be gathering regulatory approvals to market the 4.5 mg formulation. Because there is no commercial formulation of LDN, research studies obtain the medication via compounding pharmacies.
LDN is also widely used by patients with viral-induced conditions such as Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus, some of whom report significant benefits. However, LDN may fall under the category of safe and cheap enough to try for pain management or immune-mediated conditions, and then you can assess the benefits for yourself. Patients are bombarded with fads and quick fixes that miss the bigger picture. Join healthcare leaders for live online sessions and Q&A — delivering evidence-based strategies to guide patients toward lasting longevity. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.
How Long Does It Take for LDN to Work?
Over time, the medicine can help break the cycle of dependency. One study purports that if someone has sporadic heavy drinking in the first couple of months when using naltrexone, they should continue the treatment for a prolonged period (3). In contrast, prematurely discontinuing treatment can render it ineffective. Sometimes, in rare cases, an individual may experience more serious risks. If there are signs suggesting these risks or any other adverse reactions, seek immediate medical attention.
It’s considered a replacement medication, like methadone, because it is a partial agonist. The downside to Suboxone, though, is that it must be taken orally on a daily basis. The pill form of naltrexone (ReVia, Depade) can be taken at 50 mg once per day. The injectable extended-release form of the drug (Vivitrol) is administered at 380 mg intramuscular once a month. Agreed I kind of call it an immune modulator sometimes, because it’s not always ..it kind of goes up and down. So we’re stopping something that’s causing naltrexone side effects that to be already suppressed.
Key Takeaways
If mood swings become problematic, it’s essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to evaluate whether the benefits of LDN outweigh the emotional side effects. Being aware of medication interactions, side effects, and lifestyle factors empowers you to make more informed decisions. It also means recognizing that your health isn’t just about a single medication—it’s about how all the pieces of your life, treatments, and habits fit together. A simple conversation with your healthcare provider can prevent unwanted interactions and make sure everything you’re taking works together, not against each other.
