Introduction to LDN and Dosage Guidelines
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a prescribed compounded medication that is used to treat or manage numerous diseases such as depression, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and many more.
You may be wondering, why LDN is compounded. It’s because LDN is administered in such low doses. LDN should be compounded by a trusted pharmacy to guarantee the quality and safety of the medication, Buying LDN without a prescription online is illegal and extremely dangerous so it must be avoided.
In the past few years, therapeutic dosing regimens of LDN were known to be 1.5 to 4.5 mg administered at night (It could be taken in the morning if insomnia or sleeping disturbance occur) but now, the dose regimen is more variable and tailored to suit each patient.
Compounded Forms of Naltrexone
Naltrexone can be compounded into various forms, such as:
- Capsules (Dose starts from 0.1 mg)
- Tablets
- Gummy bears
- Sublingual Drops (Suitable for patients with swallowing difficulties, or if they don’t benefit from other ingested forms)
- Liquids (Allow dose titration from 0.1 mg to 16 mg)
- Eye drops
- Torches (can be split into four and they dissolve under the tongue in 1-2 minutes)
- Topical lotions (for children or various skin diseases)
- Transdermal creams
- Nasal spray
LDN Benefits
What makes LDN unique is that it’s inexpensive, has broad dose variability, can be used on numerous conditions, and its side effects are considered minor.
Potential Side Effects of LDN
The most common side effects of LDN are sleep disturbance and vivid dreams. However, they tend to settle within one to two weeks of use.
LDN General Dosage Guidelines & Dose Titration
Dosing protocols vary depending on the type of illness, age, and condition of the patient.
| Condition | Protocol |
|---|---|
| Autoimmune disease | 1 mg daily for 14 days, increasing by 0.5 to 1 mg every two weeks until at 4.5 mg or highest tolerated dose at or above 3 mg |
| Cancer | 1.5 mg daily for seven days, increasing by 1.5 mg weekly until at 4.5 mg. Once in remission, dose of 4.5 mg for seven days; start alternating three days on, three days off if indicated. |
| Chronic pain | 1 mg daily for 14 days, increasing by 0.5 to 1 mg every two weeks until at 4.5 mg or highest tolerated dose at or above 3 mg. |
| Fertility/pregnancy | 1 mg daily for 14 days, increasing by 0.5 to 1 mg every two weeks until at 4.5 mg or highest tolerated dose at or above 3 mg. |
| Anxiety / depression / post-traumatic stress disorder / traumatic brain injury | 1 mg daily for 14 days, increasing by 0.5 to 1 mg every two weeks until at 4.5 mg or highest tolerated dose at or above 3 mg. Though LDN is generally used once per day, it can be used up to four times a day for mental health conditions. |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis | Twice-daily dosing could be prescribed (between 1.5 and 4.5 mg per dose). |
| Allergies | Could be used three times per day in higher doses for allergy patients (up to 8 mg per dose). |
| Behavioral health issues | Up to four times a day could be prescribed in low doses |
| Children | Children under 40 kg: 0.1 mg per kg, starting at 0.1 mg and increasing over a period of four weeks to calculated dose. Children > 40 kg: Treat as adults. |
| Opioid addiction | In doses of 1 mcg (ultra low dose naltrexone / ULDN), it can be used alongside opioids; over time, titrate the opioid down and the ULDN up until the patient is on LDN. This should always be under medical supervision. |
| Heading #1 | Heading #2 |
|---|---|
| Full dose naltrexone | 50–100 mg |
| Low dose naltrexone (LDN) | 0.5–16 mg* |
| Very low dose naltrexone (VLDN) | 50–500 mcg |
| Ultra low dose naltrexone (ULDN) | 1–20 mcg |
*, the upper limit of what was defined as LDN was 4.5 mg, but this definition has been slightly widened.
Dosing Time
Normally, LDN is administered in the evening, )may be taken in the morning to avoid sleep disturbance). Some patients Skip one dose per week, which may help with receptor sensitivity.
Conclusion
LDN is used in the management of numerous conditions, it’s commonly administered in the evening, and the exact dose is variable according to the condition of each patient, you should consult your doctor to know the optimum dose regimen for you.
References
- The LDN Book volume two, The Latest Research on How — LOW DOSE NALTREXONE — Could Revolutionize Treatment for PTSD, Pain, IBD, Lyme Disease, Dermatologic Conditions, and More EDITED BY Linda Elsegood.
- The LDN Book 3: Low Dose Naltrexone: The Latest Research on Viral Infections, Long COVID, Mold Toxicity, Longevity, Cancer, Depression, and More.
