Naltrexone

[Anastasia17]

I have just found this product on the website 'endo resolved'. I like their moto.

Naltrexone is type drug called an “opiate antagonist”, meaning it blocks opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are related to pain, pleasure and endorphins. Taken in low doses LDN blocks opioid receptors only for a couple of hours. During this brief time, a “rebound effect” occurs in which there is an increased production and utilisation of endorphins and opioid receptors.

Apparently, it can also help with pain, low mood.

Castor oil pack may also be something that Im going to try as I have some castor oil that I bought at Holland &Barret months ago to help with dry skin. Its seems easy, unexpensive and comforting... exactly what I like!

Has any of you heard about it Naltrexone?

[LeahEndoUK Moderator]

Hi Anastasia17,

I have done some research on Naltrexone. This drug is commonly used for those with addiction issues, mainly drugs and alcohol.

In relation to pain management, I found a review by Patten et al (2018) which summarises:

'Fewer studies support the efficacy of low‐dose naltrexone, with most of these focusing on subjective measures such as quality of life or self‐reported pain. These studies do demonstrate that low‐dose naltrexone has subjective benefits over placebo, but evidence for more objective measures is limited. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of low‐dose naltrexone due to insufficient evidence supporting its use in these disease states.'

This was a fairly recent review so is up-to-date with current research in to its use for pain management, however this review didn't include studies on endometriosis. On a quick search I wasn't able to find any studies on its effects on endo pain.

I hope this gives you a bit more clarification on the drug, if you would like a direct link to the review please contact me.

EndoUK have a great information pack (linked below) that also provides information on pain management options (starting page 8).

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

Hope this information helps,

Best wishes,

Leah

EndoUK

[Anastasia17 in reply to LeahEndoUK]

Hi Leah,

Thank you for your reply, it's extremely useful. I do not recall having seen that it was used for alcohol/drug addiction on Endoresolve's website. Think I will stick to paracetamol, heat pads and Ibulieve gel for the time being. I'll stick to the addiction of hot chocolate with coconut milk.

The attached link is certainly the most informative and concise article I've seen so far.

Thank you so much for your kind help.