FDA-approved Naltrexone HCL is a medication that has been used for a long time to treat patients with an addiction to pain drugs.
Opioid receptors are located on almost every cell in the body. Therefore, low dose naltrexone works on multiple body systems. Most importantly, low dose naltrexone has been shown to work on the immune system to regulate its working.
American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides compounded medications to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
Research Supports the Efficacy of LDN
According to a small 2009 research study published by doctors at Stanford University (Younger and Mackey), the use of very low naltrexone doses helped offer pain relief to patients with fibromyalgia.
The study involved patients taking 4.5 mg of naltrexone daily (50 mg is the standard dose to treat addiction to narcotics), and after eight weeks, they experienced a reduction in pain and fatigue. In addition, other symptoms that are usually associated with fibromyalgia, such as sleep issues, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches, also showed improvement.
According to a review published in the Clinical Rheumatology 2014, doctors Younger, Parkitny, and McClain found that LDN is a promising treatment option not only for fibromyalgia, but also for chronic pain diseases that have associated inflammation such as multiple sclerosis, Chrohns disease, and CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome).
These researchers hypothesize LDNs benefit is due to the anti-inflammatory impact that it has on the central nervous system through the action of microglial cells.
The recommended LDN dose is 4.5 mg. However, the starting dose may range between 0.5 mg to 1.5 mg and gradually increases over three to eight weeks. The medication is usually taken in the evening, around one hour before sleeping.
The symptoms may initially worsen before they slowly improve. At times, the patient may experience sleep disturbances such as graphic dreams when taken at night, likely due to an increase in the release of endorphins. In such cases, taking the medicine in the morning may be helpful. There have been reports of standard dose naltrexone elevating liver function tests.
Doctors Younger, Parkitny and McClain concluded that LDN is a promising compounding pharmacy treatment option for patients with chronic pain conditions involving inflammatory processes.
How does it Work?
LDN obstructs the opioid receptors at night when the patient sleeps. This regulates and rebalances the immune system. It enhances the generation of endorphins, enkephalins, and other endogenous opioids, which form the body’s internal pain control system.
This improves the balance of the immune system and regulates the actions of macrophages, T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. These cells comprise the different functional areas of the immune system.
Who should you use it?
A majority of patients with autoimmune illnesses such as Hashimoto’s, Lupus, Sjogren’s, Crohn’s, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis may benefit from LDN integrative pharmacy treatment.
It is also helpful in neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Autism, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. According to recent studies, LDN has shown a beneficial impact on certain cancers and HIV/AIDS. Patients should consult their physician to understand LDN’s applicability to their specific condition.
Patients may initially experience disrupted sleep and drowsiness, which is self-limiting.
LDN Availability
While LDN can be compounded in any dose required, the standard prescription strengths are 1.5mg, 3mg, or 4.5mg. Experienced compounding pharmacy professionals can make LDN into a solution, sublingual drops, and topical cream.
American Integrative Pharmacy offers the latest compounding medications, including online prescription refills, to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
