There is only one way to buy low dose naltrexone: with a prescription.
It is illegal to obtain or purchase naltrexone without a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, low dose naltrexone is only available through compounding pharmacies. Pharmaceutical companies do not produce naltrexone at lower doses.
The regular dosage size used for addiction is around 50-100 mg. To get lower doses, your prescription must compounded.
Compounding pharmacies can develop naltrexone at any dose necessary. Lower doses are usually around 2-5 mg, depending on the patient’s needs.
Your pharmacist can work with your doctor to determine the optimal dosage size.
Naltrexone is a drug approved by the FDA for alcoholism and opioid addiction treatment. It is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist. This means it prevents our body from experiencing the high/euphoric effects of drugs.
By negating this effect, patients can reduce their addiction to heroin and other opioids. It also helps by reducing withdrawal symptoms from these drugs.
However, this is naltrexone at regular strength. Studies have shown that lower doses of naltrexone have a variety of uses. Many people take low dose naltrexone for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and autoimmune diseases.
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.
LDN is a compounded medication containing tiny doses of naltrexone (typically 0.5 – 4.5 mg).
Originally used at higher doses for addiction, low doses may help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.
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.
It briefly blocks opioid receptors, triggering your body to produce more endorphins and modulate immune responses.
This may reduce inflammation and ease symptoms in autoimmune or neurological conditions.
Most are mild: vivid dreams, sleep disturbances, or temporary headaches.
These often fade within weeks. We adjust doses to minimize reactions.
Your doctor can give you more information about low dose naltrexone. If you are considering taking this medication for depression, pain, or autoimmune diseases, it may be worthwhile to bring it up to your provider. They will help you weigh the pros and cons.
However, while the FDA accepts naltrexone at regular strength, naltrexone at low doses is still being studied.
Some doctors may need to be more informed about the positive results of these studies. If your provider is uncomfortable with low dose naltrexone, you can seek a second opinion.
Functional medicine doctors usually have more experience with and are more open to prescribing low dose naltrexone.
The site ldnresearchtrust.org also has helpful information when searching for a provider.
Before taking any medication, it is a good idea to become informed on the topic. Talking to your provider and pharmacist can give you a good outlook on the benefits and drawbacks of low dose naltrexone.
Additionally, there are support groups, both online and in-person, that can give perspective from people with 1st hand experience with the drug.
When you’re ready to move forward, ClearSpring Pharmacy will get you ready to go!
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Sunday: Closed
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Sunday: Closed
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DISCLAIMER: A prescription from a licensed practitioner is required for compounded medications.
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