The majority of patients will see the greatest benefit from taking low dose naltrexone (LDN) at night. Doing so helps the therapeutic effects of LDN align with your body’s natural endorphin production, leading to a greater increase!
However, everybody is different when it comes to preference and medication tolerance. There are situations where a patient should consider taking the medication during the day.
A pharmacist and a doctor will help patients understand the best time of day for them.
The following 2 principles must be considered:
Commercial naltrexone isn’t available in low doses.
Compounding pharmacies like ours precisely customize dosage strengths (e.g., 1.5 mg capsules) to the exact needs of the patient. This also allows us to incrementally titrate the dosage size as needed.
Research explores LDN for fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, MS, chronic fatigue, psoriasis, and long COVID.
LDN is an off-label medication and can only be offered by compounding pharmacies. Always discuss with your doctor first.
Responses vary. Some see changes in weeks but in general most will experience the full effects after 2 months of use.
Consistency is key and it is important to track symptoms and work with your prescriber.
Avoid with opioid painkillers (blocks their effects). Some cough or cold medicines also have negative interactions with LDN. Discuss all medications with your doctor or pharmacist.
Getting all your prescription medications from the same pharmacy will help catch any contraindications.
Most are mild: vivid dreams, sleep disturbances, or temporary headaches.
These often fade within weeks. We adjust doses to minimize reactions.
Our pharmacists will first recommend taking LDN before bed to help boost endorphin production.
These neurotransmitters play a key role in pain management, mood regulation, and stress reduction.
When taken at bedtime, endorphin production increases by as much as 300%! This increase occurs because our body produces 90% of endorphins while we sleep between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
LDN attaches to opiate receptors and blocks them, creating a signal that endorphin levels are low. The body then responds by ramping up it’s own natural production.
While naltrexone remains in the body for only 3 hours, endorphin levels remain elevated all day.
But taking LDN at night might not work for everyone.
Some patients take LDN during the day due to tolerance issues at night.
It’s possible to experience sleep disturbances if taking it before bed. Side effects such as insomnia or vivid dreams may be uncomfortable for patients.
We also have to consider lifestyles and routines. For example,Some patients take LDN during the day due to tolerance issues at night.
It’s possible to experience sleep disturbances if taking it before bed. Side effects such as insomnia or vivid dreams may be uncomfortable for patients.
We also have to consider lifestyles and routines. For example, it may be challenging to take the medication at night if the patient works the night shift.
Ultimately, patients will need to determine the best time to take LDN with their healthcare providers’ help. it may be challenging to take the medication at night if the patient works the night shift.
Ultimately, patients will need to determine the best time to take LDN with their healthcare providers’ help.
Taking LDN on an empty stomach can help with absorption. Pharmacists suggest taking the drug one or two hours after eating.
Some people can experience an upset stomach or other side effects when taking LDN on an empty stomach. In this case, it’s recommended to take LDN with food.
Patients experience several benefits when taking low dose naltrexone.
These benefits include:
For most patients, LDN has minimal side effects.
These may include:
Please contact our pharmacy to learn more about LDN.
Our pharmacists are experienced in prescribing LDN and can help you determine if it is right for you.
You can fill out our form, give us a call, or send us a text!
All ClearSpring Pharmacy locations will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, Saturday, July 4th, 2026.
Normal business hours will resume on Monday.
A nationwide shortage of estradiol patches is affecting major pharmacies and may continue for up to 3 years.
Affected brands include:
You don’t need to wait until you run out. Compounding pharmacies are experts at stepping in when drug shortages occur.
We have topical options such as creams or troches, and we work with your doctor to ensure your care stays on track.