Naltrexone — Nutrient Depletion & Health Patterns
Also known as: Naltrexone / Low Dose Naltrexone — LDN (ReVia, Vivitrol, Contrave)
Drug Class: Opioid antagonist / Immunomodulator (LDN)
Full opioid antagonist used at standard doses (50mg/day) for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. At ultra-low doses (1.5–4.5mg/day) used off-label as 'Low Dose Naltrexone' (LDN) for autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, MS, chronic pain, and mood disorders. LDN's mechanism differs from standard dosing — it transiently blocks opioid receptors causing a rebound increase in endorphin production and modulates microglia to reduce neuroinflammation.
Nutrients That Naltrexone May Deplete
Long-term use of Naltrexone is associated with lower levels of the following nutrients based on peer-reviewed clinical research. WePattern surfaces these patterns from its clinical Knowledge Graph.
- Endorphins (endogenous opioid peptides — rebound effect is therapeutic at LDN doses)
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
Common Side Effects of Naltrexone
- Standard dose (50mg): Nausea (most common early), headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite
- LDN (1.5–4.5mg): Vivid dreams or sleep disturbances (most common early side effect), transient nausea
- Liver toxicity risk (standard doses — baseline liver function required)
- Precipitation of opioid withdrawal (if opioids present in system at initiation)
- Depression (rare — opioid system modulation)
Key Drug Interactions — Naltrexone
Naltrexone has 5 documented drug-drug interactions in WePattern's Pattern Health Intelligence database. Key interactions include:
- Opioids — ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION (naltrexone precipitates immediate withdrawal — 7–10 day opioid-free period required before starting)
- Opioid-containing medications (cold medications, cough syrups, Imodium — will not work while on naltrexone)
- Thioridazine (antipsychotic — lethargy and drowsiness)
- Disulfiram (combined use for alcohol disorder — increased hepatotoxicity risk)
- Immunosuppressants (at LDN doses — theoretical interaction — monitor with rheumatologist)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Naltrexone deplete nutrients?
Yes. Naltrexone has been associated with depletion of Endorphins (endogenous opioid peptides — rebound effect is therapeutic at LDN doses), Vitamin D, Magnesium based on clinical research. WePattern maps these relationships from peer-reviewed sources.
What nutrients does Naltrexone deplete?
Naltrexone is associated with lower levels of: Endorphins (endogenous opioid peptides — rebound effect is therapeutic at LDN doses), Vitamin D, Magnesium. These depletions can develop over weeks to months of regular use.
What are the side effects of Naltrexone?
Common side effects associated with Naltrexone include: Standard dose (50mg): Nausea (most common early), headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite; LDN (1.5–4.5mg): Vivid dreams or sleep disturbances (most common early side effect), transient nausea; Liver toxicity risk (standard doses — baseline liver function required); Precipitation of opioid withdrawal (if opioids present in system at initiation); Depression (rare — opioid system modulation).
Explore Related Health Intelligence
- All Medications & Nutrient Depletion Database
- How Medications Deplete Nutrients — Clinical Guide
- Vitamin D — Deficiency Patterns & Health Impact
- PPIs and Magnesium: The Hidden Cost of Acid Blockers
- RxNext™ — Enter Your Medication List for Full Pattern Analysis
- WePattern Health Assessment — Find Your Full Pattern