Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Can Low-Dose Naltrexone Ease Long COVID Symptoms? New Study Examines The Evidence

Low-dose naltrexone has received plenty of attention as a strong candidate for treating people with chronic fatigue after COVID-19. But a new randomised clinical trial has found no significant improvement in fatigue, pain or any other symptoms when compared to a placebo.

The study, posted on <em>medRxiv</em>, examined low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome. The findings challenge hopes that an existing repurposed drug could provide relief for people whose symptoms have not subsided months after infection.

The paper has not yet undergone peer review, which means its findings have not been independently evaluated in a formal manner.

<h2>Study Based On 160 Adults With <span rel="noindex">Long COVID</span></h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/its-the-best-studied-vaccine-in-human-history-former-cdc-adviser-busts-common-myths-about-covid-vaccines-article-156402480" data-type="tilCustomLink">'It’s The Best-Studied Vaccine In Human History': Former CDC Adviser Busts Common Myths About COVID Vaccines</a>

160 adults aged 19 to 69 from British Columbia and Ontario, Canada participated in the trial. Participants had developed symptoms that resembled myalgic encephalomyelitis/<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/long-covid-mouth-and-lung-bacteria-may-offer-clues-article-156326350" data-type="tilCustomLink">chronic fatigue syndrome</a> (ME/CFS) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Researchers randomly assigned participants either low-dose naltrexone or a placebo for 16 weeks. The naltrexone dose began at 1 milligram daily and increased to a maximum of 4.5 milligrams, depending on how participants tolerated the treatment.

The main outcome was fatigue severity, which was measured using the <span>Fatigue Severity Scale</span>. At the end of the study, the average fatigue score was 4.2 in the LDN group and 4.4 in the placebo group.

The difference between the groups was not statistically significant, meaning the trial proved that the drug did not improve fatigue.

Researchers also found no significant differences between the groups in pain, overall ME/CFS symptoms, daily step counts or any other health aspects related to quality of life.

These results suggest that LDN did not provide any measurable benefit for the participants. The study also found that LDN was generally well tolerated over the 16-week period.

However, adverse events classified as grade 3 or higher were reported in five participants in the LDN group, or 6.2%, compared with three participants in the placebo group or 3.8%.

<h2>Why Has Low-Dose Naltrexone Attracted Interest?</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/i-never-recovered-from-that-crash-us-physicist-recalls-her-years-long-battle-with-long-covid-article-156393692" data-type="tilCustomLink">'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID</a>

Naltrexone is an established medicine used at standard doses to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. At much lower doses, it has been tested for conditions involving chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue.

LDN’s effects on immune signalling and inflammatory conditions have sparked interest in its potential use for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/top-vaccine-scientist-dr-peter-marks-ousted-from-fda-will-this-shake-up-put-vaccine-safety-at-risk-article-151313244" data-type="tilCustomLink">long COVID</a>, a condition that can involve fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, breathlessness and symptoms affecting several biological functions.

Flu Vaccine Guide: Best Time to Get Vaccinated & Side Effects | Doctors Explain

The findings apply specifically to adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome who met the study’s criteria for ME/CFS-like symptoms. 

Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.

Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives.

The results do not mean that <span>long COVID symptoms</span> are untreatable. Instead, they highlight how difficult it can be to identify effective treatments for a condition with varied symptoms.

There are currently no FDA-approved medicines specifically for long <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/american-covid-drives-cases-and-deaths-up-in-uk-unusual-xfg-symptoms-to-watch-for-article-156374084" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID</a>, and care often focuses on managing individual symptoms.

People taking or considering naltrexone should discuss its benefits and risks with a healthcare professional rather than starting or changing treatment on their own.

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Low-dose naltrexone has received plenty of attention as a strong candidate for treating people with chronic fatigue after COVID-19. But a new randomised clinical trial has found no significant improvement in fatigue, pain or any other symptoms when compared to a placebo.The study, posted on medRxiv, examined low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome. The findings challenge hopes that an existing repurposed drug could provide relief for people whose symptoms have not subsided months after infection.The paper has not yet undergone peer review, which means its findings have not been independently evaluated in a formal manner. Study Based On 160 Adults With Long COVIDAlso read: 'It’s The Best-Studied Vaccine In Human History': Former CDC Adviser Busts Common Myths About COVID Vaccines160 adults aged 19 to 69 from British Columbia and Ontario, Canada participated in the trial. Participants had developed symptoms that resembled myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.Researchers randomly assigned participants either low-dose naltrexone or a placebo for 16 weeks. The naltrexone dose began at 1 milligram daily and increased to a maximum of 4.5 milligrams, depending on how participants tolerated the treatment.The main outcome was fatigue severity, which was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale. At the end of the study, the average fatigue score was 4.2 in the LDN group and 4.4 in the placebo group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant, meaning the trial proved that the drug did not improve fatigue.Researchers also found no significant differences between the groups in pain, overall ME/CFS symptoms, daily step counts or any other health aspects related to quality of life.These results suggest that LDN did not provide any measurable benefit for the participants. The study also found that LDN was generally well tolerated over the 16-week period. However, adverse events classified as grade 3 or higher were reported in five participants in the LDN group, or 6.2%, compared with three participants in the placebo group or 3.8%.Why Has Low-Dose Naltrexone Attracted Interest?Also read: 'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVIDNaltrexone is an established medicine used at standard doses to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. At much lower doses, it has been tested for conditions involving chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue.LDN’s effects on immune signalling and inflammatory conditions have sparked interest in its potential use for long COVID, a condition that can involve fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, breathlessness and symptoms affecting several biological functions.Researchers Caution               The findings apply specifically to adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome who met the study’s criteria for ME/CFS-like symptoms. Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives. The results do not mean that long COVID symptoms are untreatable. Instead, they highlight how difficult it can be to identify effective treatments for a condition with varied symptoms.There are currently no FDA-approved medicines specifically for long COVID, and care often focuses on managing individual symptoms.People taking or considering naltrexone should discuss its benefits and risks with a healthcare professional rather than starting or changing treatment on their own.

can low-dose naltrexone ease long covid symptoms? new study examines the evidence

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