Naltrexone is a narcotic antagonist. It is normally used in hospitals and emergency room settings as an antidote to narcotic medication or opiate drug overdose.
Low doses of Naltrexone gently block opioid receptors and will cause a rebound spike in the production of our natural internal opioids, called endorphins or enkephalins. Endorphins play a role in regulating the immune system. This appears to be how LDN works in treating autoimmune, neurologic and cancerous conditions.
LDN Starting Dosage
- 1.5mg, 1 capsule at bedtime for 3 to 7 days
- If tolerated then proceed to 2 capsules at bedtime for 3 to 7 days
- If tolerated then proceed to 3 capsules at bedtime
LDN Maintenance Dosage
- 4.5mg, 1 capsule at bedtime
Side Effects
LDN has virtually no side effects. Occasionally, during the first week’s use of LDN, patients may complain of some difficulty sleeping, strange dreams or morning fatigue. This rarely persists after the first week. Should it do so, dosage can be reduced from 4.5mg to 3mg nightly.
Cautionary Warnings
Because LDN blocks opioid receptors throughout the body for three or four hours, people using opioid medications, i.e. narcotics such as Ultram (tramadol), morphine, Percocet (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone) Duragesic (fentanyl) patch or any codeine-containing medication should not take LDN until such medicine is completely out of one’s system.
Patients who have become dependent on daily use of narcotic-containing pain medication may require 10 days to 2 weeks of slowly weaning off of such drugs entirely before being able to begin LDN safely.
LDN Suppliers
LDN is not available from regular pharmacies. It needs to be made by a compounding pharmacy. It is not covered by insurance. The cost is about $40 per month.
The first prescription is for 1.5mg capsules, then once the maintenance dose is found, then the 3 or 4.5mg capsule is prescribed.
For more information go to www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
