Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy

Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist drug developed in the 1970s and approved by the FDA in 1984 as a safe and effective treatment for opiate and drug abuse. When used at much lower doses in an off-label protocol referred to as low dose naltrexone (LDN), the drug has been shown to halt disease progression in Crohn's disease and certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer, and to reduce symptoms in multiple sclerosis and autism. While ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the use of LDN in treating fibromyalgia and HIV/AIDS, it has been shown to improve numerous autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Grounded in available clinical and scientific research, this book describes the history of naltrexone, including its potential therapeutic uses, its effects on the immune system, and its pharmacological properties. Aiming to acquaint readers with the potential therapeutic benefits of LDN, the book also includes practical chapters for those interested in its use, focusing on such topics as how the drug is administered, information on fillers and compounding pharmacies, lists of doctors who prescribe LDN, and available patient resources. It also features interviews with LDN patients and several of the country's top LDN researchers, who describe the importance of LDN in terms of its ability to provide relief from pain, halt disease progression, and facilitate the body's ability to heal. Finally, the work includes a useful glossary and an appendix listing important clinical trials completed to date, complete with researcher contact information and a summary of the trial outcomes.