Low Dose Naltrexone has been shown to be effective in treating the neural inflammation caused by post COVID condition. This article explains how LDN works to reduce inflammation in the brain and central nervous system by addressing the biological causes of dysautonomia, when the immune system turns on itself damaging nerves and organs. The information here can be shared with your doctor if they are not familiar with this treatment option. Get your 1st month supply at an 80% discount with code covidCAREgroup through the Pharmco pharmacy.

February 14, 2024

In this article, Robert Nickell, Pharm. D. discusses Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in the treatment of Long COVID.

Long Covid

Some are calling it a second pandemic, but that is not quite right. It is a health care crisis that is going to persist for many years, temporarily or permanently disabling at least 30% of those infected or exposed to the spike protein. And every COVID infection comes with a risk of organ failure and more or worse Long COVID symptoms.

The key to avoiding more health issues is early intervention after infection and adopting healthy habits so your body can fight infection.

Originally Synthesized in 1963, Naltrexone has been around for 60 years. Naltrexone was approved by FDA in 1984 for the treatment of opioid addiction. It binds to opioid receptors, preventing the body from absorbing opioids making it easier for drug-dependent adults to stop using narcotics.

In the 1980s, doctors discovered a low dose between 3 mg and 4.5 mg had beneficial effects on the immune system when used with cancer and AIDS patients. According to researchers, naltrexone at a low dosage level exhibits properties including analgesia (pain control) and anti-inflammatory actions. Since then, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has been used to treat symptoms of autoimmune disease, cancer, and other conditions that involve immune dysregulation.

Long COVID Features:

A cluster of new onset symptoms and conditions
New health issues may seem random and unrelated
May affect any organ or the nervous system
Develops and/or lingers more than 4 weeks after the acute viral infection has resolved
Symptoms may persist or develop after 4+ weeks post infection

Long COVID Treatment Option:

Low Dose Naltrexone has been shown to be effective in treating the neural inflammation caused by post COVID condition. This article explains how LDN works to reduce inflammation in the brain and central nervous system by addressing the biological causes of dysautonomia, when the immune system turns on itself. The information here can be shared with your doctor if they are not familiar with this treatment option.

All medications are categorized for safety. LDN typically falls into “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE). It has a high level of bioavailability, meaning it is absorbed, used, and metabolized by the body easily.

How does Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) work in Long COVID?

LDN is a primary example of a relatively new class of therapeutic agents called glial cell modulators, for autoimmune conditions.

LDN is considered to be effective for immune-related conditions. COVID and the spike protein are believed to cause a cytokine storm, disrupting the on/off switch, causing the immune system to become overactive and turn on the body’s own organs. This is why many people with Long COVID and dysautonomia have a difficult time fighting infections.

LDN helps many patients with an overactive immune system, like people with allergies, asthma, or autoimmune conditions.

Immune system support

In addition to affecting opioid receptors, naltrexone simultaneously also affects T regulatory cells and non-opioid receptors that are found in microglia.

LDN helps to regulates the immune system by promoting T regulatory cell function. The T regulatory cells keep the immune system in balance. They turn inflammation on and off, depending on what’s needed. They’re important in preventing the immune system from getting stuck in overdrive. This helps many patients with an overactive immune system, like people with allergies, asthma, or autoimmune conditions.

Microglia are a type of glial cell located throughout the brain and spinal cord. They account for about 10-15% of cells found within the brain. They act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system (CNS). They are distributed in large non-overlapping regions throughout the CNS.

Microglia are key cells in overall brain maintenance. They are constantly scavenging the CNS for plaques, damaged or unnecessary neurons and synapses, and infectious agents. Since these processes must be efficient to prevent potentially fatal damage, microglia are extremely sensitive to even small pathological changes in the CNS.

Once COVID disrupts the immune system, microglia become overactive and produce inflammatory and excitatory factors that can cause symptoms such as pain sensitivity, inflammation, cognitive problems, pain sensitivity, fatigue, cognitive disruption, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and general malaise.

Low Dose Naltrexone appears to help the overactive immune system to settle down and reorganize. When microglia are chronically activated, as they are with many chronic diseases, it results in neurotoxicity followed by an extensive cascade of symptoms that are associated with these conditions.

Where can I get LDN?

The covidCAREgroup has partnered with Pharmco for high-quality mail-order prescriptions at a deep discount. Dr. Nickell and the leadership at Pharmco are committed to helping the long COVID community, so they offering an 80% discount on the first month supply of LDN!

Their individual attention to every prescription offers unmatched customer service to ensure you get your medications in a timely manner. With a commitment to offering the best prices in the US market, you will save money on LDN and your other medications.

LDN is a prescription medication. To access it, you need to work with a doctor licensed in your state. Some doctors are not familiar with the newer uses for low dose naltrexone. There are several alternatives for Long COVID doctors as seen in our Resource Tools page on the covidCAREgroup website.

How do I access Pharmco?
Have your doctor send your prescriptions to (phone / fax / email).
The pharmacy will call you to arrange delivery.
For an 80% discount on your first month order of LDN, tell them you are in the **CovidCAREgroup (CCG) long COVID program**.
Use Pharmco for everyday discounts on any medications.

Keep moving, keep breathing.

Brought to you by covidCAREgroup, connecting the dots of long COVID through education, research and resources.

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