Has anyone taken low dose naltrexone for weight loss?

I just started taking bupropion and naltrexone... how long will it take for me to lose weight??

Just want to let y'all know that, although naltrexone gave some remission of my alcohol dependence, it was not fantastic, and it caused regular night sweats to the point where I gave it up. Now I use CBD, which is very successful on some days but not others.

So this drug seems to work on alcohol and food cravings?

Your comment is quite unfair considering binge eating is a very real disease. At least with alcohol you can go cold turkey. You can’t do that with food. I was on oxycodone for chronic pain for 22 years and now I am a food addict in place of it. I eat paleo-keto which means no junk food but I overeat at each meal because it lights up my jacked up reward pathways. Please think thrice before belittling an addiction that you clearly don’t understand.

What an absolute selfish comment. Just like a true alcoholic thinking that your problems are worse than others. I am sorry if that sounds insensitive but I think it needs to be said.

Taking advantage of it?!

It’s prescribed for BOTH issues. Go to an AA meeting. Get off the meds, weakling.

To the gentleman speaking on behalf of his wife in her 60s with adrenal failure and took Naltrexone. I am 53 with adrenal problems caused by adrenal failure trying to get my cortisol down. My specialist just recommended Naltrexone for my adrenals, fibro pain, arthritis (diagnosed with 4 types of arthritis), thyroid (Hashimoto's) and other ailments caused from Chronic Epstein Barr Virus. My Internal Medicine Specialist and Homeopathic Doctor have been the two how have located the cause on my ill health. These doctors have never steered me wrong so I am starting Naltrexone today in combination with my supplements and hormone therapy.
All I can say to those looking for and needing help to stay positive and keep fighting! As a Police Officer I know that things could be worse and if you don't move it when you can you will loose it.

That's awesome... I'm suppose to start Contrave tomm I'm very nervous.. I tolerate Wellbutrin just fine I'm worried about the naltrexone

Hi there. I have been on Wellbutrin for a year and a month ago my psychiatrist increased my dose to 600mg once a day. I have an issue with craving sweets and I am constantly thinking about it. I don't usually binge but just eat sweets regularly. My psychiatrist started me on 12.5mg Naltrexone once daily and I have been taking it for 4 days now.

A little more about me as well... I had gastric bypass 6 years ago at 400lbs. I lost 100lbs and have regained 30. I am currently 330lbs. I have the "vicious cycle" of being depressed due to my weight.

My question is... how long before you noticed your decrease in cravings and the beginnng of your weight loss? Did you stick to a diet and exercise as well?

I have been taking naltrexone for 2 weeks now I still want to eat how long do it take for the craving to stop I take 25mg twice a day

My doctor just put me on this, day two for me, using this to treat Binge Eating Disorder. I always had a problem with my weight and have obsessed about food more than I'd like to admit... I've been on Wellbutrin for a year. While it helped considerably with my mood, I've put on 50 pounds... I am hoping that the addition of Naltrexone will help me learn to control my obsessive food thoughts. Can I ask, how long did the medication take to have any appreciable results, not necessarily weight loss, but a diminished obsession with food and decreased binge days?

You didn’t work to lose the weight, you took medication. When I stopped taking medication my appetite came back and I gained everything back.

What do you eat a special diet? Or how many calories? To lose 100lbs in a year with these meds?

Was the weight gain from going off of the drug as a rebound effect? Or from eating

Go to Wikipedia and look up Bupropion/naltrexone

I take Buproprion (Wellbutrin XL) 150mg for depression. I know about Contrave, but never inquired about it...

i too have hypothyroid. I am on naltrexone 50mg and haven't been able to lose a lb. I am so frusterated. Any ideas ? Scale won't budge.

I just started on naltrexone and the comments above are very helpful. I will be patience and hopefully see results here in a month. But from what I read it does take awhile for the meds to work in the system. Can any of you who have been on this tell me when you started seeing results?

Daniche just starting 50 mg now was wondering what your results were and if you took the 50mg from day 1 or cut it in half first.

Hi! Did Naltrexone help curb your binge eating? I too have gained 20 pounds recently, but do to inflammation. I'm hoping Low-Dose Naltrexone will help.

A Magnesium supplement is good for treating constipation. Think of Milk of Magnesia!

A Magnesium supplement is good for treating constipation. Think of Milk of Magnesia!

I am obese. I now know that I’m insulin resistant and have an over the top cortisol response. I’m a stressed out person. Binge eating many times comes not from hunger but emotional pain.
Usually someone we loved or respected, disrespected us or said things that in reality was a lie, but we believed it, (when we were small). It set us up for a lifetime of believing that lie in many subtile ways. Many self medicate with food, or sugar. (My drug of choice is sugar.) If there is a Vineyard church near you, go and see about inner healing through counceling using emmanuel or theophostics. You will find that binge eating is just self hatred and can be over come. For me, I’m learning to put trust in God and stop taking on stresses over things I can’t control. Here is hoping we both overcome !

I too have noticed constipation and extreme gas. I have been on it for 2 weeks. The constipation seems to be leveling off and better. I was prescribed Naltrexone and Wellbutrin for over drinking and weight loss. I have to say I am extremely happy with it. If the constipation continues I will take a daily fiber dose to help regulate. Good Luck!

Hi mred77 - May I ask you what time of day you take the lDN?

I have hashimoto's also and I have tried every thing to lose weight. I had weight loss surgery 3 yrs ago and only lost half of what I need to lose. Does anyone know of a doctor in the Dallas or Arlington Texas area that prescribes LDN?

@alevi7
LDn should be taken before bed. It works to produce endorphines and that process in the brain is most active between something like 11pm and 3am.
As far as people asking where to get it. I go to the Holtorf Medical Group which has clincs in varius cities, including SoCal. LDN is part of thier protocol. Otherwise, if you visit Mary Shomon's site, she has a state by state directory of excellent thyroid docs who will do more than write you a scrip for Synthroid and call it a day. I'm sure a loit of those docs are open to LDN protocols.
On a personal note, I'm still on LDN and my antibodies are still steadily decreasing, down from 750 to 200.

I have taken 50 mg 3 times thinking it will get better but back to the top and sides of my head hurt, nausea off and on no appetite, not even water, stomach cramps on right side, and they even feel different, lost 8 lbs in 3 days the craziest thing is being able to touch while having semi nightmare s picked my kitty up sleeping besides me just to make sure and touched a few things even a face could not believe it so cut the light on and nothing there but am holding my kitty freaky I refus to take it tomorrow also weird feelings with celxra probably spelled it wrong only took it twice any Amswers

I do know about the LDN dreams, i use to wake my husband up to make sure i was dreaming like u said not nightmares but very vivid real dreams.

I realize you wrote this a few years ago. I have Hashimoto's as well. How did the LDN work for you? Weight loss? How much were you on?

You can order it from India without a prescription.

Did have any side effects with the naltrexone I already take
Wellbutrin and tolerate it well I
Am suppose to
Work in the Contrave and lower the Wellbutrin dose just wondering.. I've heard of rapid heart rate but I'm not sure if that's the naltrexone or Wellbutrin

I was newly prescribed naltrexone for suppressing increased hunger as a side effect of Zoloft. I was started at 50 mg. per day.
I was curious what dosage you were taking?
Thank you,
Juliet

I was already on Welabutrin 300 and recently prescribed naltrexone to help with sweet cravings. I never had sweet cravings like I was experiencing. This DEFINITELY has helped the cravings. I was first told to take half the pill and did that for 2 months. This new script is for 30. I was wondering if anyone else was taking 50mgs. Now I see after reading these posts that's what most people are already talking. So I guess I'll be fine. Thanks!

I finally stopped the LDN. When I tried it at 5.0 mg it didn't help any more than the 4.5 dose. It never did a thing for my fibro pain. I think I took it almost one year.

I'm on 50 mg and he prescribed it only because I wanted to lose weight. Physically, I'm very healthy. Were you ever able to get your fibro pain treated?

I haven't gone back on LDN. I guess it was just another attempt to try and get some relief from the pain. I am pretty much the same as I was a few years ago.

I have severe RA, which after attempts on every RA med known to medicine failed, left me disabled. I was prescribed Contrave just over a month ago, and it changed my life for the better. For example, It had been three years since I prepared dinner more than one day a week. I am happy to say that as of March 3, 2016 I have prepared dinner every day of the week. My life consists of so much more than struggling to get up in the morning and waiting to go to bed at nite, sleeping 10-12 hours a nite and taking hour long naps sometimes 2-3 times a day. My rheumatologist and pcp were insistent that I had depression and kept me on antidepressants over the last three years even after I denied depression. My body just checked out for three years. I believe Naltrexone gave me my life back. From the very first dose of just 8 mg of Naltrexone, my response was immediate.

britdanielle92 I was just given 50mg as well haven't started yet. I have fibromyalgia I asked for it and my doc gave it to me for weight loss on paperwork. She didn't understand or know what the low dose was. Did you take the 50mg? Did you feel better or notice weight loss. Hope I hear back I know this is an old thread.

I took it for a bit, but never got any relief. It must have been 6 or 8 months. Now I'm going for the medical cannabis to help. From what I've experienced, it's the best yet. I hope you get some relief. All of us have different reactions to these meds. Fibro is EVIL and changes your life in so many ways. Good luck to you.

Have you had your thyroid checked, specifically you "FREE T4" and your "FREE T3 along with your reverse T3. Fibro and CFS are being shown to be linked to thyroid. Also, try searching Kent Holtorf MD... Holtorf Medical group.

First I was on contrave and couldn't tolerate the welbutrin. Now I'm on naltrexone and split the 50mg 4 ways and I'm not in as much pain. I have fibromyalgia and lupus

505eva, Read the book, "The Great Pain Deception: Faulty Medical Advice is Making Us Worse" by Steven Ozanich. I believe that LDN is helpful, but that TMS (tension myoneural syndrome" is the diagnosis for fibromyalgia, as found by John E. Sarno MD.

I realize these are old posts. The last one dating January 2018. It's now March 2018 and am just starting the naltrexone in small doses for weightloss and fibro and lyme disease pain.
Did anyone experience any weightloss on this? Did it help with the fibro pain? I also am prescribed Lortab for pain but after reading about it does it do anygood to even take the Lortab while on this med?
Thanks in advance

How did you get anything below 12.5 mg. Naltrexone only comes in 50mg form and is almost impossible to cut it more than 4 times. That’s why I take 12.5, lowest possible dose without guessing with crumbs. I’m curious how you got a lower dose of LDN unless it was during a study program.

The lower doses are compounded at the pharmacy.

I got 50mg from my doctor. Put it into 50ml of cooled boiled water. Stored in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Shake it then used a syringe to measure 0.5ml as prescribed increasing slowly every 3 days by 0.2mls.
It's 5 days now.
Yes I notice a big difference especially reduced pain.
This is going to be a journey. Everyone is different.
If it stops working. U should stop it for a day. It's like a reset button on your pc.
Then try again until you find the amount that suits u.

Hi Memaw Sue, how can I participate in a naltrexone study? Im in Houston, Tx.

From what Ive naltrexone helps w/food and sugar cravings, also makes sex less pleasureable. Is tht true?

don't know if the study is over or not but what's the name of the study? would love to read about it, tnx

It's called the Light Study, and it's still in progress, although the drug has been approved by the FDA and is probably on the market by now.

Hi, what dosing are you on? Thx

What’s the diet you eat with the drugs in the study

I haven't spoken to anyone who has taken the drug as of yet, but I am assuming some MDs have witnessed great success from prescribing (very low doses) this naltrexone, considering this drug treats addictions. Food is one of the most dangerous addictions in our day and age. Actually Naltrexone(vivatrol-generic name I assume) and an antidepressant, combined, are still in the stages of clinical trials and may very well be the next big weight loss medication. Best Regards and Happy 4th of July from Lauren, Los Angeles CA

If you happen to get hold of details, please do keep me informed. Thanks!

Obese individuals with high insulin levels tend to have high opiod levels which drive their cravings for sweets. Naltrexone, as an opiod antagonist, will help decrease these cravings for sweets and, when combined with proper diet, exercise and pro-metabolism modalities, will help weight loss. This use is off-label, of course.

hi der,
cannabinoids activity is to increase the response to hunger where as naltrexone block this activity
generally with in the body CB receptors get stimulated by endorphins and enkephalins wich do block by naltrexone
so, less hunger u eat less... simple and can be prescribed by off label drug

hi der,
cannabinoids activity is to increase the response to hunger where as naltrexone block this activity
generally with in the body CB receptors get stimulated by endorphins and enkephalins wich do block by naltrexone
so, less hunger u eat less... simple and can be prescribed by off label drug

I just started taking it for my MS .. I am hopefully that it will control some of my pain.

The above comment regarding naltrexone's use in alcohol abuse is referring to full dose naltrexone (>50 mg)
low dose naltrexone (<4.5mg) is currently used off label for auto immune diseases like MS, and may work because of the role of endorphins in the immune system. Weight loss has been experienced by some as a side effect. I haven't heard that it has been prescribed for it, but it wouldn't surprise me. But I would imagine the cause of the extra weight would matter if naltrexone were to work.

I am taking Low Dose Naltrexone and am trying to lose weight. I will be interested in what answers you are given. Good luck with your weight loss!

My doctor just prescribed Naltrexone to me this week. I'm a recovering alcoholic, just quit smoking and can't stop eating sugar. I work out almost 2 hours every day but still can't seem to stop the binge sugar eating at night. I am miserable with my body and can't seem to stop thinking about sugar. Hoping this will work for me. Keep you posted.

My doctor just prescribed Naltrexone to me this week. I'm a recovering alcoholic, just quit smoking and can't stop eating sugar. I work out almost 2 hours every day but still can't seem to stop the binge sugar eating at night. I am miserable with my body and can't seem to stop thinking about sugar. Hoping this will work for me. Keep you posted

Day.one of an attempt to reduce pounds naltrexone HCl 25 mg bid for 2 week s to start.
My weight is ever more an issue in the vicious circle of spinal hell.
Muscles are atrophy-ing!
Pls keep me posted on your progress!

Actually, there is a new weight loss medication that contains a combination of naltrexone and bupropion, called Contrave (https://contrave.com). While I don't know how well it works, it is being used for weight loss.

My dr. Perscribed me one in the morning and one in the evening strictly for weight loss. The pharmacist says it works well for weight loss. I already been on adderral so long it does not curb my appetite.

I started taking low dose Naltrexone (4.5 mg/day) about 3 months ago. I immediately noticed a decrease in appetite. Although I was only half-heartedly trying to lose weight at this time, I still lost about 3 lbs--and bear in mind that this 4 lb loss occurred partly over the Xmas and New Years holidays, when food and egg nog abound. BTW, I just saw a drug company TV ad that promoted Naltrexone, in combination with another drug for weight loss. [Combining an old drug with a new drug is a way for drug companies to gain new revenues]. I don't know if it's in higher doses or not.

Naltrexone has so many off label uses, it's amazing! I take low dose Naltrexone/LDN for fibro pain and Wow! It has really made such a difference. Not only am I pain free but it helps with the brain fog too. Dr Bahiri was really onto something when he started studying this drug in the 80s, when he noticed it helped some of his AIDs patients actually improve, health wise. Even Dr Mercola, who hates most rx meds, loves it for boosting the immune system. There are so many articles out there by doctors if you care to Google them. Unfortunately, since it's an old med, there's no money to be made in promoting it so doctors are only finding out about it little by little.

Well, that makes sense now. I was prescribed this for weight loss and not only lost the urge to drink, but when I do have a drink, I have a hard time getting it down. I will lose weight just form not drinking alone.