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3093770 tn?1389739126

LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone

Have any of you tried LDN?
Before or during Interferon treatment?
If you did, was that of any help mitigating any of the side effects?
If you have tried it before tx, did that help lower the viral load?

I would like to hear your experience
6 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am on 4.5 mg per day of naltrexone which is considered low dose. I have not felt better since I started interferon 14 years ago. Pain in the right side is gone,energy is better and I feel better. I also follow a triple anti oxidant protocol of ALA,milk thistle and selenium. Would not use LDN during treatment without a good deal of research. Dr Bernard Bihari pioneered the use of LDN and treated Hep C with LDN and interferon with success so you could google him or read the book Honest Medicine. Sounds like you have a difficult road ahead. I wish you the best.
Helpful - 0
979080 tn?1323433639
Naltrexone counteracts interferon. That's why it can help some of the leftover side effects from treatment. Treatment of neurotoxic side effects of interferon-alpha with naltrexone.

Valentine AD, Meyers CA, Talpaz M.

Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has potential dose-limiting neurotoxic side effects when used in cancer therapy. The nature of this neurotoxicity is speculative, and there is no definitive treatment. Because animal studies suggest that IFN-alpha acts at opioid receptor sites, we gave naltrexone, a long-acting opioid antagonist, to 9 patients who had hematological malignancies and who suffered from IFN-alpha side effects. Seven of these patients experienced complete or moderate relief of side effects. Five of the patients tested before and during naltrexone treatment showed improvement of cognitive functioning. Two patients could not tolerate naltrexone side effects. This study suggests an intervention against IFN-alpha side effects and provides support for the role of opioid receptor interaction in IFN-alpha neurotoxicity.



Alpha-interferon inhibits adrenocortical secretion via mu 1-opioid receptors in the rat.

Saphier D, Welch JE, Chuluyan HE.
Department of Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport 71130-3932.

The effect of recombinant human alpha-interferon on plasma corticosterone concentrations was investigated in adult male rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of alpha-interferon (10-10(4) U i.p., and 1-10(3) U i.c.v.) decreased basal plasma corticosterone concentrations. This effect was evident at both the peak and nadir in the circadian rhythm of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical secretory activity. The same inhibitory effect was obtained with intra-paraventricular nucleus administration of the cytokine. Furthermore, alpha-interferon attenuated the effects of stressors such as handling, 1 min of forced swimming, and sound stress in a novel environment. The effect of alpha-interferon (10(2) U i.c.v.) was blocked by prior injection of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.). Similarly, the effect of 10 U alpha-interferon administered i.p.(intraperitoneal) was blocked by i.c.v. injection of naloxone (1 microgram/kg), or of the mu 1-specific receptor antagonist, naloxonazine (1 microgram). The selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (1 microgram i.c.v.) and the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (1 microgram i.c.v.) both failed to prevent the inhibitory effect of alpha-interferon (10(3) U i.p.) on adrenocortical secretion. The results obtained provide further evidence for a neuromodulatory effect of alpha-interferon and that this effect is mediated by central opioid receptors of the mu 1-subtype, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors not being involved.



Generally avoid - Moderate drug interaction with Naltrexone Hydrochloride

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of naltrexone with other agents known to induce hepatotoxicity may potentiate the risk of liver injury. Naltrexone, especially in larger than recommended doses (more than 50 mg/day), has been associated with hepatocellular injury, hepatitis, and elevations in liver transaminases and bilirubin.
MANAGEMENT: The use of naltrexone in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic agents (e.g., alcohol; androgens and anabolic steroids; antituberculous agents; azole antifungal agents; ACE inhibitors; endothelin receptor antagonists;*** interferons***; nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; thiazolidinediones; anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, hydantoins, felbamate, and valproic acid; lipid-lowering medications such as fenofibrate, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and niacin; herbal products such as kava and echinacea) is generally not recommended unless the potential benefit outweighs the risk. Periodic monitoring of hepatic function is advisable.
https://www.changehealthcare.com/rx_bra ... ions/11518
Helpful - 0
3093770 tn?1389739126
Thank you copyman
The cost is not a problem as 3 months supply is just around $120-150
I have not find yet a study on the outcome of simultaneously having SOC tx and LDN

Can you please give me more details of why it is not a good idea. I do not know the facts yet.

My thinking is: LDN is recommended as a mitigating drug while on interferon as it deals with the depression.
It seems that is lowers the viral load, which as far as I am concerned is the best time to knowck it with interferon
There are several reports that Lymphoma (which I also have) can go in remission under LDN
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There have been many heated discussions about LDN on this forum.

My opinion is don't waste your money. And definitely don't  take this or any other thing like this when on treatment.

Best of luck

Helpful - 0
3093770 tn?1389739126
Thank you for the info mythoughts.
Do you know what dose were they taking?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As a patient advocate for medical maintenance for addiction treatment, every single person I know who has taken any dose of Naltrexone/Naloxone has hated it and regretted it. Though I have no idea of it's medical use in HCV treatment, I cannot imagine that the side effects would be any different. I am heard little good said about this medication and urge you to use caution.
Helpful - 0
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