A recent study from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine has determined that low-dose naltrexone may improve patients with active Crohn's disease.

In the study, the safety and efficacy of LDN were tested in a patient population with active Crohn's disease and a confirmed active Crohn's disease activity index of 220-450 (assesed pretreatment) were given 4.5mg of naltrexone by mouth each evening for 12 weeks. Patients completed the short form quality of life and inflammatory bowel surveys ever 4 weeks during the 12 weeks of the study. Infliximab was not allowed for a minium of 8 weeks prior to the beginning of the study and any other therapy for Crohn's disease that was at a stable dose for 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the study was continued at the same dose.

Of the 17 patients enrolled with a mean CDAI score of 356+/-27, the scores decreased significantly with low-dose naltrexone and  remained lower than basline 4 weeks after the completion of the study. 89% of the patients exhibited a response to the therapy and 67% of the patients involved in the study achieved a remission. There were also improvements noted in both quality of life surveys previously mentioned  with LDN compared with basline. The most common side effect noted was some sleep disturbances.

Based on the findings, the study concluded that LDN therapy appears effective and safe in subjects with active Crohn's disease.

Pharmacy Innovations works with the patient and physician to compound low-dose naltrexone. For more information on prescribing low-dose naltrexone, please contact us.

Source: Smith, J.P., Stock, H., Bingamen, S., Mauger, D., Rogosnitzky, M., Zagon, I.S., Low- dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn's disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007 Apr; 102(4): 820-8. Epub 2007 Jan. 11.