From the Research
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been studied in patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), with a recent case series published in 2023 showing that 3 out of 6 patients reported an improvement in their POTS symptoms after initiation of LDN 1. The study, which was published in the journal Cureus, found that LDN had a favorable safety and side effect profile in patients with POTS, but the evidence for its efficacy was limited due to the small sample size and variable response profile of the patients. Some key points to consider when evaluating the use of LDN in POTS patients include:
- The proposed mechanism of LDN in conditions like POTS involves temporary blockade of opioid receptors, potentially leading to increased endorphin production and reduced inflammation.
- Current standard treatments for POTS focus on increased fluid and salt intake, compression garments, exercise programs, and medications like beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, or midodrine.
- Patients interested in LDN should discuss this option with their healthcare provider, as it would be considered an off-label use requiring careful monitoring. It's also worth noting that other studies have investigated the use of different medications in POTS patients, such as ivabradine, which has shown promise in reducing symptoms of POTS in some studies 2, 3. However, the most recent and highest quality study on LDN in POTS patients is the 2023 case series published in Cureus, which provides the most relevant evidence for its use in this patient population 1.