What are the Different Formulations of LDN, and Why is the Sublingual Form Most Effective
Different formulations of Low Dose Naltrexone:
Liquid
1mg/1ml of the liquid oral formulation is the most generally prescribed type of LDN. Patients take it once a day, using a baby oral syringe.
- Cost approximately $0.50 per dose.
Capsules
In America, compounding pharmacies compound LDN into capsules of different strengths. It is recommended that you purchase LDN only from a well-reputed pharmacy that offers exceptional expertise in formulating LDN.
- Costs can range from $0.50 to 1.50 per dose, depending on strength.
Sublingual Drops
This new formulation is designed for people who have a problem taking oral medications or for patients who wish to guarantee the quickest drug delivery into their bloodstream. The prescribed number of drops is placed beneath the tongue with the help of a dropper, and the number of drops taken increases or decreases the dosage.
- Each dose can cost about 1$.
Topical Cream and Lotion
LDN in the form of a cream is available mainly in dosage of 0.5mg/ml and is applied on the skin. This dosage form is suitable for children or adults allergic to flavorings, colorings, or any other type of excipients found in different formulations of LDN. It might be more costly than oral dosage forms.
Eye Drops
The most common naltrexone preparation for ophthalmic use is dosed at 0.2%, and doctors prescribe it for dry eye.
Tablets
LDN tablets are obtainable from compounding pharmacies such as Harbor Compounding Pharmacy in various dosage strengths.
How is the sublingual form most effective?
Researchers have produced the latest formulation of LDN that is anticipated to improve the results of LDN in patients taking it. This new preparation is a concentrated liquid administered in the form of drops placed under the tongue.
This way, low-dose naltrexone is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the mucous membrane of the mouth. The sublingual route of administration allows more bioavailability by bypassing the liver’s first-pass effect and digestive tract. This formulation has many potential benefits.
Not passing through the hostile environment of the gut may enhance the drug’s efficacy and avoid many food-drug interactions.
Every drop of formulation contains 0.5 mg of LDN, making it easy for the patient to calculate the dose. And avoid using a syringe to draw up the required amount, which may be challenging for some.
The container is not frequently opened and closed. Which reduces the chance that the prescription will oxidize from direct contact with the oxygen/air and become bitter or go off.
Also, the possibility of inadvertently introducing infection into the mixture by using a syringe is much lower.
low-dose naltrexone benefits
One of the possible benefits of sublingual drops of low-dose naltrexone is in people whose dose is restricted by nausea. The first patient to try sublingual LDN is a 33-year-old man having severe fibromyalgia.
Due to the extremeness of his pain. This patient had to give up work and was instructed to walk with the help of a walking stick. His condition has been a challenge to treat, and both doctors. And the patient were frustrated for not being able to maximize his dose of LDN because of nausea.
His amount of LDN had been increased to 10mg twice a day, and still, his pain and fatigue were not improving. He was suggested to try this new sublingual formulation of low-dose naltrexone, and he immediately agreed. One month later, on the equivalent dose. He stated that his nausea was gone entirely, and shockingly sublingual LDN made his condition much better.
Pain management
Improvement in pain and fatigue was a pleasant surprise because doctors primarily aimed to decrease his nausea to allow further dose increments to change his symptoms. The improvement in symptoms recommended that this administration route was delivering much better absorption with higher drug bioavailability.
The reason behind favorable results was that more of the drug reaches the bloodstream when taken up from under the tongue instead of the stomach. Medications taken from the digestive system are first metabolized by the liver during the “first-pass effect,” and that alters and degrades the medicine.
When absorbed from the mucosal membranes that line the mouth, this type of metabolism is avoided, and more drugs directly reach the bloodstream.
No matter what the theory is, this person was pleased with the outcome. Which he stated was “a hundred times better.” His dose was increased to 11mg twice every day, and he could finally notice some light at the other end of a dark road. Apart from this case, this unique form of dosing means researchers could begin an exciting new section for LDN.
More up-to-date publications propose that cells cultured with low-dose naltrexone before chemotherapy always revealed a more significant reduction in cell number and viability than cells treated with LDN following chemotherapy.
However, cells that underwent standard NTX therapy did not usually result in considerable cell number. Viability declines with any cytotoxic medicines.