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Is low-dose naltrexone effective in chronic pain management?
Roxanne Radi1, Harriet Huang1, Jason Rivera1
1University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Denver.
The Journal of Family Practice
|September 20, 2023
Summary
Low-dose naltrexone effectively treats painful diabetic neuropathy, matching amitriptyline
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Painful diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes.
- Current treatments have limitations in efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) for painful diabetic neuropathy.
- To compare LDN with amitriptyline, a standard treatment.
Main Methods:
- A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared LDN to amitriptyline.
- A retrospective cohort study assessed LDN for inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
- A prospective dose-response study evaluated LDN in fibromyalgia patients.
Main Results:
- LDN demonstrated comparable efficacy to amitriptyline in treating painful diabetic neuropathy (SOR, B).
- LDN significantly reduced pain by 32% in inflammatory and 44% in neuropathic conditions (SOR, B).
- Low doses of LDN (5.4 mg) reduced pain in 95% of fibromyalgia patients (SOR, B).
Conclusions:
- Low-dose naltrexone is a viable and safer alternative for managing painful diabetic neuropathy.
- LDN shows significant pain reduction in various chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.
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