Retrospective Analysis of Naltrexone for Persistent Neuropathic Pain Case Series

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pain Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Persistent neuropathic pain (NP) is a widespread and disabling condition.
• NP often proves resistant to conventional first-line therapies.
• Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has demonstrated potential in managing chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a second-line treatment for diverse forms of persistent neuropathic pain (NP).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 14 patients with NP who received LDN (1.5-4.5 mg) as a secondary medical pain therapy.
• Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11).
• Treatment duration varied, with a median of 252 days.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant reduction in pain scores was observed, decreasing from 6.29 ± 2.20 to 3.71 ± 2.89 (P = 0.001).
• Patients continuing LDN for over a year reported sustained pain reduction.
• Reported side effects were mild and did not lead to treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions:

• Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may represent a promising therapeutic option for individuals suffering from persistent neuropathic pain (NP).
• LDN offers a potential alternative for patients with treatment-resistant NP.