Suffering from an autoimmune disease can be extremely challenging. In addition to enduring painful physical symptoms, you may be suffering emotionally, as well. Thankfully, many autoimmune diseases can be treated with the right medication.
However, every person’s body reacts to medications differently, and what works for one may not work for all. In that case, you may need a compounded medication or a uniquely formulated prescription to meet your specific needs.
One treatment option that may be beneficial to people with autoimmune diseases is low-dose naltrexone. Click to learn more about low-dose naltrexone (LDN), and keep reading to learn more about compounded medications for autoimmune diseases.
What Is an Autoimmune Disease?
When a person is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it means that their body’s immune system is attacking healthy cells. There are many different types of autoimmune diseases, each affecting different parts of the body and body functions.
Some of the most common types of autoimmune diseases include the following:
- Celiac disease
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Vasculitis
- Alopecia
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Psoriasis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
The way that your autoimmune disease will be treated will depend on which condition you have and what your symptoms are, among other factors. Treatment often includes medications to suppress the immune system, which could help alleviate symptoms.
These medications don’t work for everyone, and having a weakened immune system can put you at risk for developing other, more dangerous medical conditions. Fortunately, some studies have found that naltrexone in low doses could greatly benefit people suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Speak with your pharmacist or doctor for more information about medication compounding for autoimmune conditions.
Low-Dose Naltrexone for Autoimmune Diseases
In the 1980s, physicians started to treat alcoholics and people struggling with addiction with naltrexone. The drug would help patients get through difficult withdrawal periods and increase their quality of life, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a relapse.
These days, evidence has shown that low-dose naltrexone could greatly benefit people with a wide variety of medical problems, including autoimmune diseases.
LDN works by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain. This stimulates the production of endorphins—your body’s “feel good” hormones. The increased production of endorphins can help regulate the parts of the immune system that attack the body. If this can be controlled, it can help to reduce the symptoms of the autoimmune disease so you can get back to your life.
Your physician will take a careful look at your overall health and your autoimmune disease as a whole to determine whether you are a good candidate for treatment with low-dose naltrexone or another medication that treats autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune Condition? Contact a Respected Compounding Pharmacy
If you are interested in learning more about whether you could benefit from LDN or another compounded medication for your autoimmune disease, reach out to your physician or our team of reputable pharmacists here at The Healthy Choice compounding pharmacy.
Contact our office by phone at 914-238-1700 or through the quick contact form at the bottom of this page.