Low Dose Naltrexone in Dermatology

J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Mar 1;18(3):235-238.

Abstract

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been successfully studied as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory therapy in a wide range of conditions including Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, major depressive disorder, cancer, chronic regional pain syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, and multiple sclerosis.1-5 Recently, off label LDN has been shown to improve dermatologic conditions such as systemic sclerosis, Hailey-Hailey Disease, lichen planopilaris, and guttate psoriasis.6-9 In this article, we examine the existing evidence for use of LDN in skin disease and discuss its potential application in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(3):235-238.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Naltrexone / administration & dosage*
  • Naltrexone / adverse effects
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Off-Label Use*
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Naltrexone