What is Low Dose Naltrexone?
Naltrexone was a drug approved in the 1980s to treat opioid addiction and alcoholism. Later, it was discovered that very low doses of this medication can help patients with many other conditions.
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is only available through compounding pharmacies like Peninsula Compounding Pharmacy.
How Does Low Dose Naltrexone Work?
Low Dose Naltrexone works by temporarily binding and blocking a mechanism called the MU receptor, which is linked to pain. Blocking the receptor tells our bodies that we aren’t producing enough endorphins (our natural pain relievers). This helps our body to then release these endorphins.
This is important because endorphins are hormones produced by your body to relieve stress and pain. Endorphins also help regulate the immune system, calming it down in autoimmune disorders, and revving it up when needed.
LDN may be used to manage:
- Autoimmune conditions (like Hashimotos, MS, Crohns, etc)
- Pain conditions (like: Chronic regional pain, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, etc)
- Mental health conditions (like anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc
- Women’s health conditions (like vulvodynia)
- Lyme Disease
- Weight loss
- Other conditions as decided by your provider
Don’t be Afraid to Ask!
If you believe you or a loved one could benefit from a custom compounded solution, start a conversation with your prescriber. Together you and your prescribing clinician can address the options and decide the best course for you. Use the contact form below to email us so we can supply you with info to send to your prescriber.