Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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Can LDN be taken with other medications such as tranquilizers or chemotherapy? How about interactions with alcohol or tobacco?
LDN can be taken along with any other medication or substance, so long as it is not narcotic-containing. Naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist and it will block the action of narcotics. Some examples of narcotic-containing drugs are Ultram, morphine, Percocet, Duragesic patch and any codeine-containing medication.
Can LDN be taken along with any of the standard medications for multiple sclerosis?
It can, and many people with MS do this. However, all of the standard MS drugs, with the probable exception of Copaxone, are immunosuppressant and thus tend to oppose the beneficial immune system upregulation induced by LDN. Therefore, many people with MS try to wean themselves away from these other medications when they find that they are doing well on LDN.
What is the best dosage of LDN to begin treatment with?
For an adult who is not significantly below the normal weight range, the optimal dose of LDN is 4.5mg, taken each night at bedtime; i.e., between 9pm and 3am. One can begin at this dose level. If one were to develop persistent sleep disturbance (i.e., a sleep disturbance lasting longer than 10 to 14 days) after starting LDN, which occurs in less than 2% of users, then the dose may be decreased to 3mg or 2mg.
People who have multiple sclerosis that has led to muscle spasms are advised to begin treatment with just 3mg daily and to maintain that dosage.
LDN can be taken along with any other medication or substance, so long as it is not narcotic-containing. Naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist and it will block the action of narcotics. Some examples of narcotic-containing drugs are Ultram, morphine, Percocet, Duragesic patch and any codeine-containing medication.
Can LDN be taken along with any of the standard medications for multiple sclerosis?
It can, and many people with MS do this. However, all of the standard MS drugs, with the probable exception of Copaxone, are immunosuppressant and thus tend to oppose the beneficial immune system upregulation induced by LDN. Therefore, many people with MS try to wean themselves away from these other medications when they find that they are doing well on LDN.
What is the best dosage of LDN to begin treatment with?
For an adult who is not significantly below the normal weight range, the optimal dose of LDN is 4.5mg, taken each night at bedtime; i.e., between 9pm and 3am. One can begin at this dose level. If one were to develop persistent sleep disturbance (i.e., a sleep disturbance lasting longer than 10 to 14 days) after starting LDN, which occurs in less than 2% of users, then the dose may be decreased to 3mg or 2mg.
People who have multiple sclerosis that has led to muscle spasms are advised to begin treatment with just 3mg daily and to maintain that dosage.
Hope this answers some questions--I know it answered mine.
www.ldninfo.org/index.htm#What_is_low_dose_naltrexone
or (shorter version--the one above will take you right to the question/answer page)
www.ldninfo.org
KEV
It's in pill form. You take it at bedtime (will, most people do). Yes, it works for many people. The websites have all kinds of information about LDN. It would be worth your time to check them out.
For others interested, check http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org or check LDN in any search engine.
I've been taking it (4.5 mg/day at bedtime) for about 3 years and I have not had an exacerbation in that time. I also take Copaxone so I keep my neurologist happy (now he is prescribing LDN for patients who ask.).
It is a capsule made up by a compounding pharmacy (I use Skip's), see LDN page.
I believe it is only worthwhile taking LDN with Copaxone as LDN will basically prevent the other ABR drugs from working.
Good luck.
Larry