Naltrexone is a medication that has been used in the treatment of excessive alcohol and opioids and for some types of itchiness. It has also been used, in low doses, for the relief of symptoms related to fibromyalgia (FM) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Overall, studies have found that LDN is safe and well-tolerated. It may help to reduce pain and inflammation and improve well-being and immune function.
The present study aims to determine whether low-dose naltrexone (LDN), given in doses of 1-4.5 mg, reduces fatigue, improves related symptoms and reduces inflammatory markers in peripheral blood in cases with Post-COVID-19 Fatigue Syndrome (PCFS) from COVID-19. Furthermore, if this trial proves successful, it could lend support for further studies exploring LDN in other forms of post-viral fatigue, ME/CFS and FM populations.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Luis Nacul, MD, PhD; Senior Research Scientist, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre; Clinical Associate Professor, UBC
We are currently recruiting participants for the LDN Trial.
Contact Information
Study Email: LDNTrial@phsa.ca
Publications
Naik, H., Cooke, E., Boulter, T., Dyer, R., Bone, J. N., Tsai, M., Cristobal, J., McKay, R. J., Song, X., & Nacul, L. (2024). Low-dose naltrexone for post-COVID fatigue syndrome: a study protocol for a double-blind, randomised trial in British Columbia. BMJ open, 14(5), e085272. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085272
