Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is not officially approved by Health Canada specifically for rheumatoid arthritis. However, doctors in Canada — like in many other countries — can prescribe it "off-label," meaning it's used for a purpose beyond its original approval. This is actually a fairly common medical practice.
The catch is Show Full Answer
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is not officially approved by Health Canada specifically for rheumatoid arthritis. However, doctors in Canada — like in many other countries — can prescribe it "off-label," meaning it's used for a purpose beyond its original approval. This is actually a fairly common medical practice.
The catch is that LDN must be prepared by a compounding pharmacy, since naltrexone is only commercially available in a much higher dose (50mg tablets). The low dose used for RA is typically around 4.5mg daily. Here's a quick summary of what's currently known about LDN for RA:
- Research is still limited — only a handful of studies have been done specifically on RA
- Some studies suggest people using LDN needed less of their usual RA medications like DMARDs and NSAIDs
- It may help reduce inflammation by blocking certain inflammatory proteins called cytokines
- Reported side effects include vivid dreams, headaches, increased heart rate, and anxiety
- Cost is relatively low — around $35/month through a compounding pharmacy
It's worth having an open conversation with your rheumatologist to see if LDN could be a suitable option for your specific situation.
July 21
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