Compounded Published: limited Established use

Low-dose naltrexone: dosing, timing and what to expect

Naltrexone at 1.5–4.5 mg — a fraction of the addiction-medicine dose — used off-label for autoimmune symptoms, pain and inflammation. A long-running community staple with real (if small) trial literature.

Also known as LDN

Educational research reference Prescription Medications

Quick reference. Everything you need to run Low-dose naltrexone — dosing, frequency, reconstitution math for the vial sizes people actually buy, and what it stacks with. For anything specific to your situation, ask the Guru.

Low-dose naltrexone quick start

Route: Oral
Typical dose: 1.5–4.5 mg
Frequency: Nightly
Half-life: ~4 h (metabolite ~13 h).
Cycle: Continuous.

These are the numbers people actually run, drawn from the published record and from what the community has settled on over time. Educational reference, not medical advice — a starting point to work from, and one you can adjust as you learn how you respond.

How to run it

How often: Nightly
Cycle length: Continuous.
Half-life: ~4 h (metabolite ~13 h).
Route: Oral

Consistency matters more than perfect timing. Pick a slot in your day you will actually keep, and let DoseIQ handle the rest.

What people actually run

Usually compounded; the community ramps 1.5 → 3 → 4.5 mg over weeks. Vivid dreams early on are the famous side effect.

This is accumulated community practice — years of real-world use across a large number of people, converging on numbers that work. It is not a controlled trial, and for most compounds here no such trial exists or is ever likely to. That makes this the most reliable dosing signal available, and it is a good deal better than guessing.

What to expect

Most people tolerate Low-dose naltrexone well. Here is what is worth knowing going in, so nothing catches you by surprise.

Blocks opioid receptors — it will neutralize opioid pain medication and can precipitate withdrawal in anyone opioid-dependent. Surgery or acute pain plans need it disclosed.

Preparing it

Low-dose naltrexone does not need reconstituting — it comes ready to use.

Track this in DoseIQ Browse all compounds

This page is an educational research reference and is not medical advice. Dose figures reflect the published record and what the community has converged on — starting points to weigh, not instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.