Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is a promising treatment with the potential to help a variety of conditions and improve the immune system. While it is still being studied, there is growing evidence that this prescription medication can help with several chronic illnesses. Naltrexone was approved by the FDA in 1984 for the treatment of opioid addiction. “Low Dose” Naltrexone refers to the use of a dosage that is much lower than that used to treat opioid addiction. Usually the dose is around 1/10 of the dosage used to treat addiction. At this lower level dose, the medication acts much differently than at the higher dose. Naltrexone at this lower dose had its first human trial in 2007 and since then has shown promise as a treatment for chronic medical conditions.

As of right now, naltrexone is used off-label by physicians trying to improve the quality of life of their patients who have chronic illness. A chronic illness that is not curable, like multiple sclerosis, requires long-term, comprehensive care with constant maintenance of symptoms. A medication that works for one patient may not work well for another patient. Since even small improvements in quality of life can be important to someone suffering from a chronic illness, specially compounded medications like LDN are used as an alternative option.

Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s, and Multiple Sclerosis

Experimental testing on fibromyalgia patients showed that LDN may help reduce pain and improve quality of life. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia experience chronic musculoskeletal pain as well as other issues. Although not considered an inflammatory condition, fibromyalgia involves inflammation that occurs throughout the body, and LDN may help by reducing this inflammation.

Studies have also been done on the effectiveness of using LDN in treating Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is an inflammatory disease that affects the bowels and causes chronic pain. Low dose naltrexone may reduce inflammation of the bowels and also the pain associated with the condition. Based on current research, low dose naltrexone’s effect on Crohn’s symptoms may be even greater than with fibromyalgia.  Over 80% of participants in one study exhibited significant improvement when treated with LDN for Crohn’s.

Multiple sclerosis is an abnormal immune system response that affects the central nervous system. While the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not known, it may be due to a genetic predisposition triggered by some environmental factors. MS patients treated with low dose naltrexone have shown some improvement in fatigue and depression as well as self-reported cognitive functioning. LDN may be used as a complementary treatment for MS patients along with their normal regimen.

How does LDN work?

It isn’t completely certain yet how low dose naltrexone helps with a variety of chronic illnesses. The mechanism of action is still being studied and further research is needed to determine how it can improve the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia, crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions. In addition to an improvement in quality of life, LDN is relatively inexpensive compared to other treatment options and it has few negative side effects. Each patient is unique and may not experience chronic illness in the same way. Symptoms can come and go based on many factors, and patients will usually have a treatment plan customized for them with their healthcare providers. Low dose naltrexone may be an option to relieve pain, inflammation, fatigue and other symptoms of chronic illness for patients who aren’t responding to other treatments.