Everybody is different when it comes to preference and medication tolerance. Patients can take low dose naltrexone (LDN) at any time of day, but it will depend on the individual.
A pharmacist and doctor will help patients understand the time of day best for them.
Nonetheless, the following broad principles apply:
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.
Pharmacists will recommend taking LDN at night before bed. Taking LDN at night promotes the production of endorphins.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that have various functions in the brain. They are crucial for pain management, mood regulation, and stress reduction. Boosting the natural production of endorphins can be highly beneficial for the patient.
When taken at bedtime, endorphin production increases by as much as 300%! This increase occurs because our body produces 90% of endorphins between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.
LDN blocks opiate receptors to increase endorphin production. Blocking these receptors gives the false impression that there are not enough endorphins. The body then responds by producing more.
While naltrexone remains in the body for only 3 hours, endorphin levels remain elevated all day.
But taking LDN in the nighttime might not work for everyone.
The effects of LDN are highly individualized. Though there are many benefits to taking LDN at night, it may not work for everyone.
Some people may experience sleep disturbances when taking it at night. Side effects such as insomnia or vivid dreams may be uncomfortable for patients.
Additionally, doctors always consider patients’ 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 the help of their healthcare providers.
This is another patient-dependent question.
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, doctors recommend taking LDN with food.
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!
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