Vnitr Lek 2026, 72(1):E1-E5 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2026.010

Naltrexone and its potential use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Karolína Absolonová, Ivan Šterzl
Endokrinologický ústav, oddělení OKIE, Praha

In this article, we present a selection of findings from the literature regarding the potential use of low-dose naltrexone, so-called LDN in the treatment of chronic autoimmune diseases, its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist, currently used in the treatment of addiction. Its low doses (usually 4.5 mg per day) are experimentally used to treat pain and inflammation in some chronic and autoimmune diseases (e.g. fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease). Its immunomodulatory effect in these diseases is realized mainly through opioid receptors and the innate immunity receptor TLR4 and leads to a reduction in inflammation and pain in the studied probands. The use of LDN is currently only off-label. Study results suggest potential benefits, particularly for fibromyalgia and chronic pain, but there is currently a lack of strong enough evidence from large controlled studies to make the therapy widely recommended or standardized.

Keywords: autoimmune diseases, immunomodulatory effects, LDN, naltrexone.

Accepted: February 3, 2026; Published: February 12, 2026  Show citation

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Absolonová K, Šterzl I. Naltrexone and its potential use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Vnitr Lek. 2026;72(1):E1-5. doi: 10.36290/vnl.2026.010.
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