The FDA approved the medical use of Naltrexone in the 1980s. Medical professionals typically use it to treat opioid and alcohol addictions. More recently, medical providers use low-dose Naltrexone (LDN) as a safe and inexpensive way to treat patients with pain, dysfunctional immune systems, inflammation, cancer, and mental health issues.
Naltrexone temporarily binds and blocks the mu-opioid receptor, which modulates many different physiological functions, including pain. Blocking this receptor promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. Naltrexone also works with your endorphin and immune systems to reduce overall oxidative stress leading to better moods and decreased pain. Our hormone replacement therapy team can help you determine if California low-dose Naltrexone (LDN) is right for your needs.
Doctors use Naltrexone at 50 to 100 mg doses to treat opioid addiction. In 1985, researchers discovered benefits of lower doses (4.5 mg) of Naltrexone. Low-dose Naltrexone describes the experimental off-label use of Naltrexone at about one-tenth of the amount used for opioid addiction.
LDN has been reported to increase endorphin levels by up to three times, resulting in substantial pain relief. Since Naltrexone increases the production of endorphins and the immune system is significantly regulated by endorphins, researchers began using LDN to help protect what remained of the immune systems in patients with HIV/AIDS. LDN also lowers markers of inflammation in the body and may reduce fatigue.
A person in California can use LDN to treat various types of unresolved lingering pain, widespread chronic pain, fatigue, and tenderness caused by fibromyalgia, autoimmune thyroid disorders, cancer, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, Gulf War syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical evidence shows that LDN may encourage weight loss in some patients. Research involving LDN and its reported uses is constantly expanding. LDN is low cost, has minimal side effects, and has no known abuse potential.
Before starting low-dose Naltrexone, our California team will complete a full review of the medications and supplements you take. You may need to modify the doses of other maintenance medications to coincide with the start of LDN. Most patients tolerate the use of LDN well and only feel temporary side effects. However, you should slowly increase your dosage to avoid side effects. Dr. Jacobson will start you with an extremely low dose, 1 to 1.5 mg/day. We will then increase the dosage by 1 mg weekly to a maximum of 4.5 mg/day.
People using LDN usually only experience mild side effects. The side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, altered mood, headache, and joint pain. A small amount of people experience difficulty sleeping during the first two weeks of taking LDN. Some people have reported less common side effects, such as nausea and wild dreams.
Our team will review the benefits, risks, and side effects of LDN to determine if it is right for you. Low-dose Naltrexone may be able to help you manage pain or chronic condition. Contact our office to schedule a consultation about California low-dose Naltrexone (LDN) today.