Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) can be a powerful tool to help with symptoms related to inflammation and immune dysfunction. That said, the key is to find the dose that works best for each individual patient. As Chief Medical Officer at AgelessRx, I’m here to share more in depth information on LDN dosing to help patients find their optimal dose.
LDN is typically dosed at 4.5mg once daily, taken at bedtime. This is the dose that seems to work best for most patients. However, there are patients that respond better to a higher or lower dose. The key is to find that “Goldilocks” dose.
What Is the Typical LDN Protocol?
I’ve prescribed LDN to thousands of patients over the years. When I prescribe LDN, I usually start patients on 1.5mg capsules. Patients are typically instructed to start with 1 capsule at bedtime for the first 10 days, then increase to 2 capsules for another 10 days, then to 3 capsules after that. This gets them up to the 4.5mg dose.
If LDN does not provide a reduction in symptoms when taken at 4.5mg, I usually instruct patients to increase their dose until they find one that works better for them. So, if they have 1.5mg capsules, then they can take 4 capsules for 2 weeks and then see how they do. Then, they can try 5 capsules for 2 weeks, and then 6 capsules. I recommend leaving about 2 weeks between dose adjustments since it can take about 2 weeks to determine if a particular dose is beneficial or not. The maximum dose I usually recommend is 9mg (total of six 1.5mg capsules) per day.
How Do I Know Which Dose to Stick With?
It comes down to how a particular dose makes you feel. In my experience with prescribing LDN, patients will start feeling a reduction in symptoms when they reach about 3mg (total of two 1.5mg capsules/day). Increasing to 3 capsules of 4.5mg/day helps reduce symptoms further still. Increasing the dose might provide additional benefits. But at some point, the tides will turn and a higher dose will cause a reduction in benefits. This is the point a patient knows they have gone too far with the dose and should reduce. I call this the “most effective dose”, or commonly the “Goldilocks” dose.
There are some exceptions. For patients taking LDN for prevention, then I recommend sticking to 4.5mg daily. Also, for some patients, 1.5mg/day or 3mg/day work best and they find themselves sticking to a dose lower than 4.5mg. I also tell patients to keep in mind that not everybody will benefit from LDN at any dose.
There are also times where a certain dose will work initially, but then stop working as well. For most patients, a small one-time bump in dose is all that is needed to help the LDN start working again.
What Happens If I Need to Adjust My Dose?
The best thing you can do is work with your prescriber to communicate any changes and your response. If you are an AgelessRx patient, following the above outlined protocol is an easy and effective way to see which dose is best for you.
If you decide to try a dose beyond the standard 4.5mg/day, you can start by adding a single 1.5mg capsule to your dose for at least 2 weeks. You can repeat this process if you desire, maxing out at no more than 9mg/day.
As always, be sure to communicate any dosage changes with your prescriber. I often remind patients that more is not always better with LDN, so it sometimes requires a bit of trial-and-error. Being systematic and patient with dosing, and paying close attention to feedback from your body can help you determine the LDN dose that is right for you.
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
FAQs
How do I find my goldilocks dose with other longevity treatments?
The same goldilocks method that works for LDN will also work for other longevity treatments like NAD+, B12/MIC, and Metformin. The main idea is to start slowly, ramp up steadily, and pay close attention to how you feel. When you start to notice that the benefits are tapering off, or if you notice any side effects, it may be time to halt or roll back your dose. Your goldilocks dose may also be above or below the target dose, and not everyone will have the same goldilocks dose, so what works for you may not work for others.
Will the side effects of LDN keep me from reaching my target dose?
The side effects of Low Dose Naltrexone are usually mild and go away on their own within a week or two. In fact, many people with chronic pain and similar conditions turn to Low Dose Naltrexone for relief, finding that it does not compound their pain.
The most common side effects of LDN, or Low Dose Naltrexone, are vivid dreams, mild anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. Some may also experience stomach cramps, anxiety, nausea, or muscle pain. It’s important to remember, though, that everyone reacts to medications differently, and Low Dose Naltrexone is no different. In rare cases, Low Dose Naltrexone can cause a wider range of side effects. On the other hand, some may not experience side effects at all.
Can I take a higher dose of LDN than the target dose?
You should always follow the instructions of your provider and aim for the target dose of 4.5mg per day, which will be the most therapeutic dose for most patients. However, if you find that you can tolerate the medication well, and you’re not feeling your expected benefits after a few months, try speaking with your prescriber to see what works best for you.