Using low-dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia: Off label but on trend

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In print

Pharmacotherapy

Using low-dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia: Off label but on trend

8 November 2023

By Penny Clark and Linda Bryant

Wednesday 8 November 2023, 12:35 AM

Sally’s fibromyalgia causes pain, stiffness, fatigue and inability to concentrate, to the extent that some days she is unable to function [Image: Annie Spratt on Unsplash]

There is increased interest in low-dose naltrexone as a potential treatment for fibromyalgia. This article examines what you need to know

Key points, The use of low-dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia is off label and not funded, and it will need to be prepared by a pharmacy. Do not use opioids with, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Rheumatology

References

Yang J, Shin KM, Do A, et al. The safety and efficacy of low-dose naltrexone in patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review. J Pain Res 2023;16:1017–23.
Aitcheson N, Lin Z, Tynan K. Low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of fibromyalgia: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Aust J Gen Pract 2023;52(4):189–95.
Klemp P, Williams SM, Stansfield SA. Fibromyalgia in Māori and European New Zealanders. J Rheumatol 2002;5(1):1–5.
Maffei ME. Fibromyalgia: Recent advances in diagnosis, classification, pharmacotherapy and alternative remedies. Int J Mol Sci 2020;21(21):7877.
Younger J, Parkitny L, McLain D. The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain. Clin Rheumatol 2014;33:451–59.
Knab J, McCauley J. The use of low dose naltrexone in the management of chronic pain. Pract Pain Manag 2020;20(3).
Bolton M, Hodkinson A, Boda S, et al. Serious adverse events reported in placebo randomised controlled trials of oral naltrexone: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med 2019;17(1):10.
Bennett RM, Friend R, Jones KD, et al. The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR): validation and psychometric properties. Arthritis Res Ther 2009;11(5):415.

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