Naltrexone — Nutrient Associations & 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. Only evidence-qualified catalog relationships are listed here. Other catalog entries remain unverified in this reference; absence from the list does not rule out other medication effects or interactions.
Medication and Nutrition Context
Only evidence-qualified catalog relationships are listed here. Other catalog entries remain unverified in this reference; absence from the list does not rule out other medication effects or interactions.
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
What nutrient associations are reported for Naltrexone?
Only evidence-qualified catalog relationships are listed here. Other catalog entries remain unverified in this reference; absence from the list does not rule out other medication effects or interactions.
Which nutrient relationships are mapped for Naltrexone?
Only evidence-qualified catalog relationships are listed here. Other catalog entries remain unverified in this reference; absence from the list does not rule out other medication effects or interactions.
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).