Low-Dose NaltrexoneBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: LDN
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) refers to the off-label use of naltrexone at significantly lower doses than those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating opioid and alcohol dependence. It is typically taken in the evening. The reported plasma half-life is about 4 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
1 human randomized trial published.
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
Reported for Low-Dose Naltrexone in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Low-Dose Naltrexone entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Efficacy of Low-Dose Naltrexone in Women With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A 12-Month Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialRodríguez-Freire C, et al. · European Journal of Pain · 2026 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 42385209
- [2]Low-Dose Naltrexone: What is the Evidence? A Narrative ReviewGouda AHK, et al. · Advances in Therapy · 2026 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 42060160
How to track Low-Dose Naltrexone doses
Tracking Low-Dose Naltrexone well takes four fields and a habit. Here is what to record so the log is still useful in three months.
- 1
Add the dose and unit
Log Low-Dose Naltrexone with its dose in mg so totals stay comparable over time — including days when you split the dose or skip it.
- 2
Set the time of day and food rule
Typical timing is bedtime. Reminders fire at that time and can export to your calendar.
- 3
Check it against the rest of the stack
Run Low-Dose Naltrexone through the interaction checker against everything else in the routine — supplements, peptides, hormones and prescriptions — before it becomes a daily habit.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 4 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Low-Dose Naltrexone alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg
- Time of day
- Taken / skipped / delayed
- Any side effects or notable changes
What is Low-Dose Naltrexone?
What does the research say about Low-Dose Naltrexone?
Tap a section to expand.
What interacts with Low-Dose Naltrexone?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any supplement + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist. |
| Any vitamin + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider. |
Frequently asked questions about Low-Dose Naltrexone
Which studies looked at Low-Dose Naltrexone?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Low-Dose Naltrexone for Chronic Pain: Update and Systemic Review(opens PubMed in a new tab)Curr Pain Headache Rep · 2020 · PMID 32845365 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32845365/
- 2.Low-dose naltrexone (LDN): A promising treatment in immune-related diseases and cancer therapy(opens PubMed in a new tab)Int Immunopharmacol · 2018 · PMID 29885638 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29885638/
- 3.The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain(opens PubMed in a new tab)Clin Rheumatol · 2014 · PMID 24526250 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24526250/
- 4.Low-dose naltrexone for treatment of dermatologic conditions: A clinical review(opens PubMed in a new tab)J Am Acad Dermatol · 2026 · PMID 40962192 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40962192/
Verify at
Publisher search links for Low-Dose Naltrexone. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- Examine.com(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Examine.com · publisher search
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- PubChem(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · publisher search
- Wikipedia entry(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Low-Dose Naltrexone?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) refers to the off-label use of naltrexone at significantly lower doses than those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating opioid and alcohol dependence. It is typically taken in the evening. The reported plasma half-life is about 4 hours, which shapes dosing frequency.
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Low-Dose Naltrexone — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/low-dose-naltrexone
What compounds are similar to Low-Dose Naltrexone?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.
