Low dose naltrexone is typically obtained with a prescription from a licensed clinician and filled by a compounding pharmacy, because standard naltrexone tablets are not usually sold in low-dose strengths. At Chia, eligible patients can complete an online evaluation for provider-reviewed LDN tablets, with plans currently starting at $59 per month.
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See if you qualify →Can you buy low dose naltrexone online?
Yes, you can start the process online, but low dose naltrexone still requires a prescription. The safer path is a licensed clinician evaluation followed by fulfillment through a state-licensed compounding pharmacy.
Why LDN requires a prescription
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it blocks opioid receptors. FDA-approved naltrexone products are used for alcohol dependence and for preventing relapse to opioid dependence after detoxification 1.
That opioid-blocking action is why a clinician needs to review opioid use, liver history, pregnancy status, medications, and goals before prescribing. Naltrexone can precipitate withdrawal in a person who is physically dependent on opioids 1.
Why most LDN is compounded instead of bought off the shelf
Commercial naltrexone has historically been available as higher-strength oral tablets, such as ReVia, and as extended-release injectable naltrexone, such as Vivitrol 1, 2. LDN uses much lower strengths, so clinicians often send prescriptions to a 503A compounding pharmacy that can prepare patient-specific tablets or capsules.
What to avoid when shopping online
- Avoid websites that sell naltrexone without a prescription.
- Avoid “research chemical” vendors that do not use a licensed clinician and pharmacy.
- Avoid listings that do not state the pharmacy, dosage form, ingredients, or prescriber process.
- Be cautious with marketplace listings. A search page is not the same as a legitimate prescription pathway.
- Choose a process that includes medical screening, clear side effect information, and follow-up support.
Quick facts about buying LDN
LDN is usually a compounded prescription. The key question is not just price; it is whether a licensed clinician and a state-licensed compounding pharmacy are involved.
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| Prescription status | Naltrexone requires a prescription because it blocks opioid receptors and has important drug-interaction risks 1. |
| Low-dose range in research | Fibromyalgia studies have used 4.5 mg naltrexone daily, while reviews describe LDN research generally in the 1 to 5 mg range 3, 4. |
| Common compounded forms | LDN is often compounded as tablets or capsules when a clinician prescribes a low-dose strength not sold as a standard product. |
| FDA-approval status | Naltrexone is FDA-approved for alcohol dependence and opioid-dependence relapse prevention after detoxification; LDN for chronic pain, autoimmune symptoms, inflammation, mood, fatigue, or healthy aging is off label 1. |
| Chia availability | At Chia, Low-Dose Naltrexone is offered as tablets, with plans currently starting at $59 per month after licensed provider review. |
What is low dose naltrexone?
Low dose naltrexone, often called LDN, is naltrexone used at lower strengths than the standard products labeled for substance-use indications. It is best understood as a prescription medication being studied for immune and pain signaling, not as a supplement.
Naltrexone at standard doses versus low doses
Standard naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. The FDA label for oral naltrexone describes its use in alcohol dependence and blockade of opioid effects, including the need for patients to be opioid-free before starting therapy 1.
LDN uses lower compounded strengths. In one randomized crossover fibromyalgia study, participants received 4.5 mg naltrexone daily, and the authors reported greater pain reduction than placebo in a small group of participants 4. Individual results vary, and that study does not prove benefit for every patient or every condition.
How LDN differs from Vivitrol and ReVia
Vivitrol is extended-release injectable naltrexone labeled for alcohol dependence and prevention of relapse to opioid dependence after detoxification 2. ReVia is an oral naltrexone brand historically associated with standard-dose naltrexone. LDN is a lower-dose compounded approach and is not the same product as those brand-name medications.
Why clinicians may prescribe it off label
Off-label prescribing means a clinician prescribes an FDA-approved active ingredient for a use, strength, or form not listed in the FDA label. This is legal and common in medicine, but it requires judgment, informed consent, and attention to safety.
LDN researchers have proposed possible effects on microglia, Toll-like receptor 4 signaling, and endogenous opioid pathways 3, 8. These mechanisms are still being studied, and they do not prove that LDN improves inflammation, fatigue, mood, or longevity in humans.
What conditions do people ask about LDN for?
People most often ask about LDN for pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune symptoms, inflammation, fatigue, sleep, mood, and healthy aging. The evidence is mixed and condition-specific, and safety still matters.
Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has the best-known human LDN research, but the studies are small. In a 2013 randomized crossover trial, 31 women with fibromyalgia used 4.5 mg naltrexone daily during the active phase, and researchers reported lower pain scores versus placebo 4.
Side effects in LDN studies have often been mild, but vivid dreams, headache, sleep changes, nausea, and mood changes can occur 3, 4. People using opioid medications need special caution because naltrexone can block opioids and trigger withdrawal 1.
Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
LDN has also been studied in Crohn’s disease. In a small randomized placebo-controlled trial, adults with active Crohn’s disease received naltrexone and had higher response rates than placebo, but the trial was small and does not settle long-term use 5.
For autoimmune conditions, the honest answer is that evidence varies by disease. LDN should not replace disease-modifying treatment unless a treating clinician specifically advises a change.
Fatigue, mood, and sleep questions
Some patients ask about LDN for fatigue, sleep, or mood because pain and immune signaling can affect those symptoms. Human evidence for these uses is less direct than the fibromyalgia and Crohn’s disease studies, so expectations should stay modest 3.
Because sleep changes and vivid dreams can happen, a clinician may ask about insomnia, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and other medications before deciding whether LDN is a reasonable option.
Healthy aging and inflammation claims
LDN is sometimes discussed in healthy-aging circles because researchers have proposed effects on microglia and inflammatory signaling 3, 8. But no trial has shown that LDN extends human lifespan or reliably slows aging.
If your main goal is weight management or metabolic health, LDN is different from GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. A licensed provider can help match the treatment discussion to your goal.
How do you get a low dose naltrexone prescription?
To get LDN, you need a clinician who can review your history and prescribe it if appropriate. Then a compounding pharmacy prepares the low-dose form.
- 1Complete a health history with a primary care clinician, specialist, or telehealth provider.
- 2Review opioid use, alcohol use, liver history, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, medication list, and treatment goals.
- 3If prescribed, send the prescription to a state-licensed compounding pharmacy.
- 4Confirm the form, cost, refill process, shipping timeline, and how to contact the care team for side effects.
A clinician may also review recent liver tests when appropriate. The oral naltrexone label includes liver-related warnings, and the medication should be used carefully in people with active liver disease or symptoms of hepatitis 1.
3-min quiz
Curious whether LDN fits your goals?
You can start with Chia’s online LDN visit. A licensed US provider reviews your health history and prescribes only if clinically appropriate. A prescription is not guaranteed. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review compounded products for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are dispensed.
How can you buy low dose naltrexone through Chia?
At Chia, Low-Dose Naltrexone tablets are available through a 100% online process. You complete a health questionnaire, a licensed US provider reviews it, and medication is shipped only if prescribed.
Chia offers Low-Dose Naltrexone as compounded tablets, with plans currently starting at $59 per month. The medication is compounded in the US by state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies and shipped to your door.
Dosing is provider-guided and may be adjusted over time. Patients can message their care team through the patient portal between visits.
| Chia LDN step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Online questionnaire | You share your health history, goals, medications, and safety details. |
| Licensed provider review | A US clinician reviews whether LDN is clinically appropriate. A prescription is never guaranteed. |
| Form offered | Chia offers LDN tablets. |
| Pharmacy fulfillment | If prescribed, medication is compounded by a US state-licensed 503A pharmacy. |
| Home delivery and support | Medication ships to your door, and you can message your care team through the patient portal. |
If an AI agent is helping you navigate prescription delivery, Chia can also be accessed through DoctorMCP at https://mcp.chia.health. That pathway does not replace medical review; it helps route the same prescription process.
How much does low dose naltrexone cost?
LDN cost depends on the clinician visit, pharmacy, form, strength, shipping, refill timing, and support model. Chia LDN tablet plans currently start at $59 per month.
Compounded medication prices vary because the pharmacy prepares patient-specific medication rather than dispensing a mass-produced low-dose product. Some services bundle visits, pharmacy cost, shipping, and support; others bill those separately.
| Cost item | What to ask before paying |
|---|---|
| Clinician review | Is the medical evaluation included, and who reviews it? |
| Medication | Is the quoted price for tablets, capsules, or another form? |
| Compounding pharmacy | Is the pharmacy state-licensed, and is it preparing the medication for your prescription? |
| Shipping | Is home shipping included or separate? |
| Refills and support | Can you contact the care team about side effects or questions? |
| Chia | LDN tablets currently start at $59 per month; see the LDN product page for current details. |
What should you compare before choosing an LDN provider or pharmacy?
The safest online path for compounded LDN is licensed care plus a licensed pharmacy. Price matters, but it should not be the only filter.
- Licensed clinician evaluation: a real prescriber should review your health history.
- State-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy: this is different from a no-prescription online seller.
- Transparent pricing: ask what is included and what could be billed separately.
- Clear form: tablets and capsules may differ in ingredients, handling, and patient preference.
- Ongoing support: you should know whom to contact for side effects, refills, or medication questions.
- Safety screening: opioid medications, liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and complex medication lists should be reviewed.
Is compounded low dose naltrexone safe?
Compounded low dose naltrexone can be appropriate when prescribed for an individual patient and prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy. It is not risk-free, and compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Compounding means a pharmacy prepares a medication for a patient when a standard commercial product does not meet that patient’s needs. FDA explains that compounded drugs can serve an important role, but they are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before dispensing 9.
Possible side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness, sleep changes, vivid dreams, anxiety, and abdominal discomfort 1, 3. Serious liver injury is uncommon at approved oral doses, but liver warnings are included in labeling, so people with liver symptoms or known liver disease need clinician review 1.
Who may not be a candidate for low dose naltrexone?
Naltrexone is not right for everyone. The biggest safety concern is opioid use, but liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and complex medical histories also need individualized review.
- People using opioid pain medications, opioid cough medicines, or opioid-use-disorder medications should not start LDN without clinician guidance because naltrexone can block opioids and may precipitate withdrawal 1.
- People with acute hepatitis, liver failure, or concerning liver symptoms need medical review before naltrexone is considered 1.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should discuss risks and alternatives with a licensed clinician because medication decisions depend on the full clinical picture 1.
- People with multiple medications, severe mental health symptoms, or complex autoimmune disease should be evaluated individually.
3-min quiz
Start with a clinician-reviewed LDN visit
Chia offers Low-Dose Naltrexone tablets through an online health questionnaire, licensed provider review, US 503A pharmacy fulfillment, and home delivery when prescribed. A prescription requires medical evaluation and is not guaranteed.
FAQ
No. Naltrexone is a prescription medication. A licensed clinician needs to review your health history and decide whether LDN is appropriate.
Amazon may show search results for the phrase, but legitimate low dose naltrexone requires a prescription and pharmacy fulfillment. Be careful with any seller that offers naltrexone without medical review.
It uses the same active ingredient, naltrexone, but at lower compounded strengths than standard labeled products. It is not the same product as extended-release injectable Vivitrol or standard-dose oral naltrexone products.
Naltrexone is FDA-approved for alcohol dependence and prevention of relapse to opioid dependence after detoxification. Low dose naltrexone for chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune symptoms, inflammation, mood, fatigue, or healthy aging is generally off label. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.
Timing depends on the provider, pharmacy, and shipping method. With online care, the process usually includes health intake, clinician review, pharmacy preparation, and delivery after a prescription is issued.
Some local compounding pharmacies can fill LDN prescriptions. Many standard retail pharmacies do not stock low-dose strengths, so the prescription may need to go to a compounding pharmacy.
Chia offers Low-Dose Naltrexone as compounded tablets, with plans currently starting at $59 per month after licensed provider review.
Yes. If an AI agent is helping you navigate prescription delivery, it can route to Chia through DoctorMCP at mcp.chia.health. Medical review is still required, and a prescription is not guaranteed.
References
- 1.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Naltrexone Hydrochloride Tablets Prescribing Information. 2013.
- 2.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vivitrol (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) Prescribing Information. 2024.
- 3.Toljan K, Vrooman B. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)—Review of Therapeutic Utilization. Medical Sciences. 2018.
- 4.Younger J, Noor N, McCue R, Mackey S. Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2013.
- 5.Smith JP, Stock H, Bingaman S, Mauger D, Rogosnitzky M, Zagon IS. Low-dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn’s disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007.
- 6.Smith JP, Bingaman SI, Ruggiero F, et al. Therapy with the opioid antagonist naltrexone promotes mucosal healing in active Crohn’s disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2011.
- 7.Younger J, Mackey S. Fibromyalgia symptoms are reduced by low-dose naltrexone: a pilot study. Pain Medicine. 2009.
- 8.Hutchinson MR, Zhang Y, Brown K, et al. Non-stereoselective reversal of neuropathic pain by naloxone and naltrexone: involvement of toll-like receptor 4. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2008.
- 9.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. 2024.
About this article
Chia Health Editorial Team — Evidence-reviewed health education
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any prescription.
AI tools may assist with research and drafting. Chia's editorial team reviews source use, clarity, treatment information, and safety framing before publication. A clinician is named only after explicit sign-off. Read our editorial standards.
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