Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy for Crohn’s Disease

Introduction

Crohn’s Disease is a debilitating form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is estimated that 3 million people in the US alone have a form of IBD. There is currently no cure for Crohn’s which is usually characterized by frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. Normal therapies include immunosuppressive drugs including steroids, but 80% of patients will need surgical intervention within 20 years of diagnosis. There is evidence that low dose naltrexone can achieve symptom relief in some patients who have moderate symptoms despite normal therapies.

What is Low Dose Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is commonly known as an opioid antagonist. It has been shown to be effective in treating alcohol dependence and blocking the effects of opioids. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is a term for using naltrexone at a much lower dose than normally prescribed. In a normal course of therapy, naltrexone is prescribed at daily doses of 50 mg. Although, some evidence has implicated naltrexone to be therapeutic in several autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s Disease at doses much lower, normally 4.5 mg daily. Although large clinical trials are lacking for this treatment, preliminary evidence has shown that low dose naltrexone is safe, tolerable, and effective with no known serious adverse side effects, much unlike normal therapies with immunosuppressants.

How Does Naltrexone Work in Crohn’s?

Low dose naltrexone is theorized to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by its action on the opioid growth factor receptor. This receptor is different than the receptors normally utilized by opioid medications to treat pain. By reducing inflammation in the bowel, Crohn’s symptoms can potentially be significantly reduced.

Compounding Low Dose Naltrexone Tablets

Low dose naltrexone tablets must be compounded by a compounding pharmacy to assure proper dosing. Naltrexone tablets are only commercially available at much higher doses than those used in low dose regimens. Compounding pharmacies have the expertise to customize your prescription to your specific needs. Low dose naltrexone can also be much more cost effective than normal therapies that involve expensive brand name injectable drugs. Be sure to use a compounding pharmacy with experience in compounding low dose naltrexone - LDN. All drugs potentially have side effects. Talk to your doctor to see if LDN may be good for you.

References

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