From the Guidelines
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) dosing is typically started at 1.5 mg at bedtime and gradually increased to a maximum dose of 4.5 mg.
Key Points
- The initial dose of LDN is 1.5 mg at bedtime 1
- The dose can be increased bi-weekly by 1.5 mg until a maximum dose of 4.5 mg is reached 1
- A common dosing range for LDN is 3-5 mg 1
- A specific study used 4.5 mg of LDN and found significant decrease in pain and improved satisfaction with life in patients with fibromyalgia 1
Side Effects and Considerations
- Common side effects of LDN include headache, tachycardia, and vivid dreams 1
- LDN has been shown to be effective in treating various types of chronic neuropathic pain, including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, low-back pain, and painful diabetic neuropathy 1
From the Research
Dosing for Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
- The daily dose of LDN is considered to be in the range of 1 to 5 mg 2
- A dosing range between 1 μg and 1 mg is referred to as very low-dose naltrexone (VLDN) 2
- Doses as low as 5.4 mg have been found to reduce pain in 95% of patients with fibromyalgia 3
- Oral naltrexone in a dosage range from 1 mg to 4.5 mg is commonly used as LDN 4
- The final daily dose of oral LDN has been reported to range from 0.8 to 9.0 mg, with the most common dose being 4.5 mg once daily 5
Key Findings
- LDN has been shown to reduce glial inflammatory response and upregulate endogenous opioid signaling 2
- LDN has been used to manage chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and dermatologic conditions 4
- LDN may have utility in improving mood disorders and enhancing quality of life 6
- LDN is a relatively safe pharmacologic option that may benefit patients with chronic pain conditions 5