Advocacy » Health news » Naltrexone for Crohn’s disease
April 12, 2009
Crohn’s is an autoimmune disease that affects the intestines. Endorphins are one of the links between the immune and nervous systems. Research suggests that low-dose naltrexone increases endorphin levels in the body. In this study, 17 patients with Crohn’s were given 4.5mg of naltrexone nightly. After 12 weeks, 89% of patients had improved, and 67% were in remission. This is not a placebo-controlled study, and it only involved 17 patients. But 67% remission is spectacular. This very low dose of a drug that has been used for decades is a safe option that every person with Crohn’s should consider.
Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:820