Naltrexone is known as an opioid addiction treatment drug, but did you know when given in lower quantities, it can actually help people with immune dysfunction alleviate pain and inflammation?
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is an example of the repurposing of an established FDA-approved drug for secondary purposes, and is preferred by many patients battling pain for its ease-of-use and low incidence of side effects.
Although you do need a prescription from a doctor to get LDN, you can learn more by contacting The Healthy Choice, an LDN compounding pharmacy on Long Island.
What Is LDN?
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a compounded form of the commercially available drug Naltrexone, which is commonly used to treat addiction to opioids, also called narcotics.
LDN is an altered form of the main drug, containing about ten percent of the typical dosage of Naltrexone used to treat opioid addiction. Typically, LDN is administered orally in a tablet in doses from 1 to 6 mg; however, other methods of delivery are possible, including via sublingual tablets or oral drops.
LDN works by binding to receptors in your brain associated with the production and release of endorphins. Stimulating these endorphins can lead to increased feelings of wellness and a decrease in pain perception.
Because of this, LDN is seen as supportive to immune health and regeneration, especially for people suffering from pain and chronic illness.
LDN is an altered, non-label version of an FDA-approved drug. You can get it from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription.
What Conditions Does LDN Treat?
In lower doses, Naltrexone has been shown to have both analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties.
Because of this, LDN has been adopted in recent years for off-label uses related to these characteristics.
Some of the diseases for which LDN has been used in treatment include:
- IBS
- Crohn’s Disease
- MS
- Ulcerative colitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin conditions
- Cancer
- And others
One of the key reasons why LDN is preferred by many as an intervention for conditions with chronic pain is because it has a high level of tolerance while posing few to no side effects.
Although some patients have experienced disruptions to their usual sleeping habits in the form of vivid dreams, this side effect can be managed by taking LDN in the morning instead of before bedtime.
Finally, LDN has no drug interactions except for narcotics of any form. Discontinuation of any use of narcotics is necessary before beginning treatment with LDN.
How Do I Get LDN?
Because LDN is a version of an FDA-approved used for off-label purposes, it must be compounded and sold by a compounding pharmacy.
However, you do still need a prescription to be able to purchase LDN. Because it’s a relatively new drug, it’s possible your doctor may not be aware of LDN or its uses. If you need help broaching the subject of LDN with your physician, you can contact the compounding specialists at The Healthy Choice for more information.
Reach Out to an LDN Compounding Pharmacy on Long Island
Are you interested in reaping the benefits of Low Dose Naltrexone to help with your chronic pain? Contact The Healthy Choice LDN compound pharmacy on Long Island for more information about LDN and our other high-quality compounded medications.
Call us at 914-238-1700 to learn more.