Low dose naltrexone is a lower dosage version of a drug that has been used for heroin addiction for more than 25 years. LDN has been shown to help people with multiple sclerosis, cancer, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. This experimental treatment is currently the focus of more than ten clinical trials, and many doctors are prescribing LDN for an off-label use. What are the pros and cons of using LDN for people with autoimmune conditions?
Pros of Using Low Dose Naltrexone for Multiple Sclerosis and More
Low dose naltrexone as an autoimmune condition treatment has been used for a wide range of issues, but the first use of the drug was initiated by Dr. Bernard Bihari in New York in 1985, for HIV/AIDS patients. Dr. Bihari found that LDN helped the immune system, and expanded his use of the drug to cancer patients, and later those with lupus and other conditions.
Some of the pros of using low dose naltrexone include:
- decreased fatigue
- decreased pain
- decreased depression
- increased muscle control for MS patients
- decreased spasticity
- remission for Crohn's disease in 67 percent of clinical trial patients
Cons of Using LDN for MS, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Very few side effects have been reported to be associated with LDN, but there are a few:
- disturbed sleep in the first few weeks of taking LDN
- extremely vivid dreams
- headache
Many patients with MS, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other autoimmune conditions face side effects with other medications used to control their issues, and any side effect from medication should always be brought to the prescribing physician's attention immediately.
Experimental Treatment with Low Dose Naltrexone
When embarking on any new medication protocol, patients need to consider their current medications, supplements, diet, and physical abilities when consulting a physician. While low dose naltrexone is helping many patients with autoimmune conditions, every case is different and needs thorough review from a qualified health care provider.
To read more about LDN, check out Low Dose Naltrexone - LDN for details on how the drug works, new research, and more, while those readers searching for information on buying low dose naltrexone should read Where to Buy Low Dose Naltrexone for information on compounding pharmacies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe that sell the drug.
References:
LowDoseNaltrexone.org
Endogenous opioids regulate expression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: a new paradigm for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Zagon et al. Experimental biology and medicine 2009; 234, 11: 1383-92.
A pilot trial of low-dose naltrexone in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.Gironi et al. Mult Scler.2008; 14: 1076-1083.
Smith JP, Stock H, Bingaman S, Mauger D, Rogosnitzky M, Zagon IS (April 2007). "Low-dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn's disease.". Am J Gastroenterol 102 (4): 820–8.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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