Low dose naltrexone in treatment of psoriasis: a pilot study.

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

2 Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt Department of Dermatology, Armed Forces College of Medicine (AFCM), Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and systemic inflammation. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has shown promising immunomodulatory effects in various autoimmune conditions.



Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LDN (5 mg daily) in the treatment of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.



Methods: This pilot study included 5 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients received oral LDN 5 mg once daily for three months. Disease severity was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline and monthly for three months [1].



Results: At the end of the study, DLQI scores improved significantly, indicating enhanced quality of life. LDN was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. Mild and transient side effects were observed in some patients, which resolved spontaneously. The small sample size and short follow-up period are limitations that warrant further investigation.



Conclusion: LDN appears to be a safe and effective alternative for managing moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, offering both clinical and quality-of-life benefits. Its affordability and minimal side effects make it particularly attractive in settings with limited resources. Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to validate these preliminary findings.

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Minia Journal of Medical Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 August 2025

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