Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist and is primarily used to help reduce pain and inflammation. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including autoimmune diseases, chronic pain and even mental health issues.
Being a pure inhibitor, there is no narcotic effect and with the chemical structure mirroring endorphins that are naturally produced in the body, it also encourages further natural production of endorphins, boosting happiness.
LDN is an antagonist at the opioid growth factor receptors which are found on a wide range of cells in the body. It works by binding to the endorphin receptors where it exerts its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which last around 4-6 hours.
LDN is proven to be effective in reducing symptoms in a range of conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, chronic pain, women’s health issues, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and most recently long COVID, as well as being effective in treating mental health issues, due to the increased production of endorphins.
As yet, there are few clinical trials on LDN, but many have been undertaken for naltrexone in its higher dosage and there is good evidence that it is safe.
At Specialist Pharmacy, expert compounding pharmacists can compound LDN in any strength starting from 0.5mg to 6mg in different formulations. Capsules tend to be the preferred formulation, however other formulations can be compounded such as lozenges and sublingual drops (depending on patient preference with swallowing difficulties or allergies/ intolerances). Patients with sensitivities or allergies should contact Specialist Pharmacy to discuss their options.
For more information about Low Dose Naltrexone and the benefits of prescribing it to your patients, along with dosage information, please visit https://specialist-pharmacy.com/
