naltrexone

[Guest guest]

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

[Guest guest]

Low dose or regular? We tried the low dose for about two months in transdermal

lotion form. No change, but to be fair, I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

Aliza

and Trina Sherman wrote:

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

--- Golda Meir

[Guest guest]

Trina,

My son started on LDN (Low dose Naltrexone) in Dec. 2005. We have

just finished our 6th month on it. I started it because he seemed to b

be hyperimmune. He never really got sick and he had struggled with

what has always looked like a viral rash (measles like). We have seen

some improvement in his allergies (not as severe a spring) and what

seemed like some language improvements. What I was really looking for

was a change in his immune system. He had high herpes, CMV and some

titers. We are going to be re-testing for these this next week so I'm

interested to know what, if anything has changed. There is a yahoo

group that is for LDN and autism and Dr. McCandless posts there

regularly. It has a lot of great info and parents reports on it.

I am also using it because I had high strep (1400 with a ref. of 0-

200) and High Epstein barr (170 with ref. of 0-17) So I will retest

at the end of 3 months to see if my immune system has modulated at all.

>

> Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

>

[Guest guest]

Where in the world did you get the idea this drug is for autism?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids (a

class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes with these drugs

for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used to treat dependence

on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as treatment for

alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of naltrexone,

patients who received naltrexone were twice as successful in remaining abstinent

and in avoiding relapse as patients who received placebo-an inactive pill.

In the largest study, the most common side effect of naltrexone affected only a

small minority of people and included the following: nausea (10%), headache

(7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), anxiety (2%), and sleepiness

(2%). These side effects were usually mild and of short duration. As treatment

for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects, predominantly nausea, have been severe

enough to discontinue the medication in 5-10% of the patients starting it. For

most other patients side effects are mild or of brief duration. One serious

possibility is that naltrexone can have toxic effects on the liver. Blood tests

of liver function are performed prior to the onset of treatment and periodically

during treatment to determine whether naltrexone should be started and whether

it should be discontinued if the relatively rare side effect of liver toxicity

is taking place.

I would never think its use for ASD or related behaviors would be appropriate.

richard garnett

Aliza Ratterree wrote:

Low dose or regular? We tried the low dose for about two months in transdermal

lotion form. No change, but to be fair, I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

Aliza

and Trina Sherman wrote:

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

--- Golda Meir

[Guest guest]

Well, you need to meet a litlle lady named Dr. Jacquelyn McCandless. She

recommends a very low dose of Naltrexone to help shift these kids immune systems

from a non-healthy to a healthy, balanced state. There's a yahoo parent group

set up for parents using LDN and Dr. McCandless herself will answer posts. If

you look at the science, it supports her theory of the T2/T1 immune system

shift. We are using it on our sons. Look into it!

Re: naltrexone

Where in the world did you get the idea this drug is for autism?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids

(a class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes with these

drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used to treat

dependence on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as

treatment for alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of

naltrexone, patients who received naltrexone were twice as successful in

remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as patients who received placebo-an

inactive pill.

In the largest study, the most common side effect of naltrexone affected only

a small minority of people and included the following: nausea (10%), headache

(7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), anxiety (2%), and sleepiness

(2%). These side effects were usually mild and of short duration. As treatment

for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects, predominantly nausea, have been severe

enough to discontinue the medication in 5-10% of the patients starting it. For

most other patients side effects are mild or of brief duration. One serious

possibility is that naltrexone can have toxic effects on the liver. Blood tests

of liver function are performed prior to the onset of treatment and periodically

during treatment to determine whether naltrexone should be started and whether

it should be discontinued if the relatively rare side effect of liver toxicity

is taking place.

I would never think its use for ASD or related behaviors would be appropriate.

richard garnett

Aliza Ratterree wrote: Low dose or regular? We

tried the low dose for about two months in transdermal lotion form. No change,

but to be fair, I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

Aliza

and Trina Sherman wrote:

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

--- Golda Meir

[Guest guest]

As I understand it, low dose naltrexone helps with autoimmune disease and

cancer. I think there is also the theory that ASD kids have more endorphins

than the neurotypical population, thus the high pain threshold. Dr. McCandless

is using LDN in her practice, as are some others, I believe. Apparently some

children have shown improvements.

Aliza

Garnett wrote:

Where in the world did you get the idea this drug is for autism?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids (a

class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes with these drugs

for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used to treat dependence on

opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as treatment for

alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of naltrexone,

patients who received naltrexone were twice as successful in remaining abstinent

and in avoiding relapse as patients who received placebo-an inactive pill.

In the largest study, the most common side effect of naltrexone affected only a

small minority of people and included the following: nausea (10%), headache

(7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), anxiety (2%), and sleepiness

(2%). These side effects were usually mild and of short duration. As treatment

for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects, predominantly nausea, have been severe

enough to discontinue the medication in 5-10% of the patients starting it. For

most other patients side effects are mild or of brief duration. One serious

possibility is that naltrexone can have toxic effects on the liver. Blood tests

of liver function are performed prior to the onset of treatment and periodically

during treatment to determine whether naltrexone should be started and whether

it should be discontinued if the relatively rare side effect of liver toxicity

is taking place.

I would never think its use for ASD or related behaviors would be appropriate.

richard garnett

Aliza Ratterree wrote: Low dose or regular? We tried

the low dose for about two months in transdermal lotion form. No change, but to

be fair, I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

Aliza

and Trina Sherman wrote:

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

--- Golda Meir

[Guest guest]

At the suggestion of our pediatric neurologist, we

tried Naltrexone with our son when he was around 4. It

worked very well. Operating on the theory, and these

are my unscientific words, that part of what's going

on with ASD neurology has to do with

neurotransmitters, Naltrexone blocks the opiate uptake

receptors and prevents the brain from " self-stimming. "

(As I said, this was my unscientific understanding.)

Our doc said it would work within a couple of weeks or

not at all. We were to look for more verbal ability

and less self-absorbtion/stimming. In fact, within a

week, we saw great results. My son drew a circle for

the first time (which is a neuro. milestone in

development) as well as drawing a face for the first

time. His (oral)language developed as well.

We kept him on it for a year, then stopped. Didn't see

any regression. Started again after 6 months, didn't

see any improvement and d/c it at that time.

We got a phone call from the mail order drug company's

pharmacist asking why our 4 yr old was using

Naltrexone, by the way. It is an " off label " use of

the drug. But as I said, it worked for us.

Brown

--- Garnett wrote:

> Where in the world did you get the idea this drug is

> for autism?

>

> Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects

> of drugs known as opioids (a class that includes

> morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes with

> these drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. It

> was originally used to treat dependence on opioid

> drugs but has recently been approved by the FDA as

> treatment for alcoholism. In clinical trials

> evaluating the effectiveness of naltrexone, patients

> who received naltrexone were twice as successful in

> remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as

> patients who received placebo-an inactive pill.

>

> In the largest study, the most common side effect of

> naltrexone affected only a small minority of people

> and included the following: nausea (10%), headache

> (7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%),

> anxiety (2%), and sleepiness (2%). These side

> effects were usually mild and of short duration. As

> treatment for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects,

> predominantly nausea, have been severe enough to

> discontinue the medication in 5-10% of the patients

> starting it. For most other patients side effects

> are mild or of brief duration. One serious

> possibility is that naltrexone can have toxic

> effects on the liver. Blood tests of liver function

> are performed prior to the onset of treatment and

> periodically during treatment to determine whether

> naltrexone should be started and whether it should

> be discontinued if the relatively rare side effect

> of liver toxicity is taking place.

>

> I would never think its use for ASD or related

> behaviors would be appropriate.

>

> richard garnett

>

> Aliza Ratterree wrote:

> Low dose or regular? We

> tried the low dose for about two months in

> transdermal lotion form. No change, but to be fair,

> I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

>

> Aliza

>

> and Trina Sherman

> wrote:

> Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

>

> 'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

> --- Golda Meir

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Garnett, Ph.D. Chair

> Texas Council on Autism and

> Pervasive Developmental Disorders

> 2707 Airport Freeway

> Suite 216

> Fort Worth, Texas 76111

> 817/377-2252

>

> ---------------------------------

> Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million

> songs.Try it free.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

Mark & Brown

ms_nk_brown@...

[Guest guest]

Well - if it blocks the effects of drugs known as opioids - then that is the

reason people get the idea that this drug is for autism.

Many kids with autism can't break down gluten - and the effects are somewhat

like opioids in their systems.

Guppy

Garnett wrote:

M. Guppy

E-mail: MGuppy@...

Website: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

Let those who say it can't be done, get out of the way of those of us who

are doing it!

Autism is BIG ~ but God is BIGGER

[Guest guest]

Efficacy and safety of naltrexone use in pediatric patients with

autistic disorder.June 2006 article in ls of Pharmacotherapy.

Abstract follows.

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and safety of naltrexone in

pediatric patients with autistic disorder (AD).

DATA SOURCES: Using the terms pediatric, child, naltrexone, autism,

and autistic disorder, a literature search was performed using

MEDLINE (1966-May 18, 2006) and the International Pharmaceutical

Abstracts (1971-May 18, 2006) database. The references of these

articles were scanned for additional relevant literature. S

TUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles describing or

evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of naltrexone in pediatric

patients with AD were included in this review. Three case reports, 8

case series, and 14 clinical studies were identified as pertinent.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Naltrexone has been used most commonly at doses

ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg/day and found to be predominantly

effective in decreasing self-injurious behavior. Naltrexone may also

attenuate hyperactivity, agitation, irritability, temper tantrums,

social withdrawal, and stereotyped behaviors. Patients may also

exhibit improved attention and eye contact. Transient sedation was

the most commonly reported adverse event. Small sample size, short

duration, and inconsistent evaluative methods characterize the

available research. CONCLUSIONS: A child affected by AD may benefit

from a trial of naltrexone therapy, particularly if the child

exhibits self-injurious behavior and other attempted therapies have

failed. Serious adverse effects have not been reported in short-term

studies.

http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/40/6/1086

-Anita Karney

> Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

> --- Golda Meir

>

>

[Guest guest]

Please note that there is a difference between the standard dosage of naltrexone

and low dose. Apparently the higher dosage is indicated as a beta/opioid

blocker, the low dose is for autoimmune issues. Please correct me if I am

wrong.

According to our pediatric psychiatrist, when she has prescribed naltrexone at

standard doses, she has seen very slight improvement if any.

Anita K wrote:

Efficacy and safety of naltrexone use in pediatric patients with

autistic disorder.June 2006 article in ls of Pharmacotherapy.

Abstract follows.

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and safety of naltrexone in

pediatric patients with autistic disorder (AD).

DATA SOURCES: Using the terms pediatric, child, naltrexone, autism,

and autistic disorder, a literature search was performed using

MEDLINE (1966-May 18, 2006) and the International Pharmaceutical

Abstracts (1971-May 18, 2006) database. The references of these

articles were scanned for additional relevant literature. S

TUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles describing or

evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of naltrexone in pediatric

patients with AD were included in this review. Three case reports, 8

case series, and 14 clinical studies were identified as pertinent.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Naltrexone has been used most commonly at doses

ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg/day and found to be predominantly

effective in decreasing self-injurious behavior. Naltrexone may also

attenuate hyperactivity, agitation, irritability, temper tantrums,

social withdrawal, and stereotyped behaviors. Patients may also

exhibit improved attention and eye contact. Transient sedation was

the most commonly reported adverse event. Small sample size, short

duration, and inconsistent evaluative methods characterize the

available research. CONCLUSIONS: A child affected by AD may benefit

from a trial of naltrexone therapy, particularly if the child

exhibits self-injurious behavior and other attempted therapies have

failed. Serious adverse effects have not been reported in short-term

studies.

http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/40/6/1086

-Anita Karney

> Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

> --- Golda Meir

>

>

[Guest guest]

Here, here. Dr. McCandless, author of Children with Starving Brains, is

successfully treating the biomedical issues related to autism--not that most

psychologists even acknowledge that there are biomedical issues.

S.

Re: naltrexone

Well, you need to meet a litlle lady named Dr. Jacquelyn McCandless. She

recommends a very low dose of Naltrexone to help shift these kids immune

systems from a non-healthy to a healthy, balanced state. There's a yahoo

parent group set up for parents using LDN and Dr. McCandless herself will

answer posts. If you look at the science, it supports her theory of the

T2/T1 immune system shift. We are using it on our sons. Look into it!

Re: naltrexone

Where in the world did you get the idea this drug is for autism?

Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of drugs known as

opioids (a class that includes morphine, heroin or codeine). It competes

with these drugs for opioid receptors in the brain. It was originally used

to treat dependence on opioid drugs but has recently been approved by the

FDA as treatment for alcoholism. In clinical trials evaluating the

effectiveness of naltrexone, patients who received naltrexone were twice as

successful in remaining abstinent and in avoiding relapse as patients who

received placebo-an inactive pill.

In the largest study, the most common side effect of naltrexone affected

only a small minority of people and included the following: nausea (10%),

headache (7%), dizziness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), anxiety (2%),

and sleepiness (2%). These side effects were usually mild and of short

duration. As treatment for alcoholism, naltrexone side effects,

predominantly nausea, have been severe enough to discontinue the medication

in 5-10% of the patients starting it. For most other patients side effects

are mild or of brief duration. One serious possibility is that naltrexone

can have toxic effects on the liver. Blood tests of liver function are

performed prior to the onset of treatment and periodically during treatment

to determine whether naltrexone should be started and whether it should be

discontinued if the relatively rare side effect of liver toxicity is taking

place.

I would never think its use for ASD or related behaviors would be

appropriate.

richard garnett

Aliza Ratterree wrote: Low dose or regular? We

tried the low dose for about two months in transdermal lotion form. No

change, but to be fair, I'm not sure we gave it a fair chance.

Aliza

and Trina Sherman wrote:

Has anyone used Naltrexone? Trina

'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

--- Golda Meir

[Guest guest]

Her website is at http://www.starvingbrains.com

Tonya

-----Original Message-----

From: Singleton

Here, here. Dr. McCandless, author of Children with Starving Brains, is

successfully treating the biomedical issues related to autism--not that

most

psychologists even acknowledge that there are biomedical issues.

S.