Clinical examples of Low Dose Naltrexone

Bino Rucker, M.D.

Kim Jones, M.S.

About the authors: Formerly a cancer surgeon, Dr. Bino Rucker integrated a holistic element to his practice that goes beyond the limits of standard big practice models. Rucker Integrative Medicine offers an array of innovative treatments including bio-identical hormone balancing, ozone injection and chronic sports injury solutions  to name just a few. As Dr. Rucker furthered his growth in the healing arts, he came across an amazing substance; LDN or Low Dose Naltrexone

Ms. Jones is a freelance journalist who collaborates on clinical topics with Dr. Rucker. She can be reached at info@ruckerozonedoc.com

Low-Dose Naltrexone, Bino Rucker, M.D.

Naltrexone is a drug already being used to treat patients battling addiction. In lower doses, however, it has the potential to treat tens-of-thousands of patients suffering illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, Lupus and even HIV. Those are just a fraction of a growing list of conditions LDN has the capacity to treat. Most patients experience no negative side effects.  

One method  of acquiring knowledge Dr Rucker utilizes to this day  is to read books about every compound that he finds has value in order to really master any given  concept. One such book was written by Dr. Burt Berkson – The Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough.

Early in his career,  Berkson observed an unexpected effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid (or  ALA) on his cancer patients. ALA was selectively killing cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. Pancreatic and hepatic cancer patients went into remission following intravenous ALA  treatment. In his writings and interviews, he combined ALA with LDN.

LDN  was clinically utilized by Dr. Bernard Bihari in the 80's. He serendipitously discovered that it helped his HIV patients along with his cancer patients and those with other autoimmune disorders.  An interview with Bihari details his findings.

Traditionally used in large doses to treat opiate addiction, Bihari found an entirely different use for the drug in considerably lower doses.  A great many autoimmune diseases are beginning to be viewed as diseases of endorphin deficiency. To simplify, LDN appears to correct and balance the low levels of endorphins that cause the disease itself.

Dr.  Rucker notes, “After studying LDN in great detail, gleaning information from books, articles and medical lectures, I established my comfort level with it and began prescribing it to my own patients. Here I will share a few case histories and explain why I think it works and why it is a phenomenal substance.”

Case history: 48 yo female was diagnosed with Lyme disease, but I suspected she had a form of Cipro toxicity and started her on LDN with excellent results.

Prior history from 2008 through 2017:

Patient experienced  numerous sinus infections which were treated with Levaquin and Cipro.

Major issues include tears in both Achilles tendons while walking (indicative of Cipro toxicity), joint pain and stiffness and  tingling in arms and hands. Tingling resolved after Chiro visit, stiffness and pain ongoing.

Suspected abdominal aneurysm (due to shortness of breath, heart palpitations and concern over tendon tear history causing collagen loss in other areas of the body) was ruled out by cardiologist after echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound.

Suspected parathyroid tumor was ruled out by endocrinologist.

Test results from visit to Lyme specialist showed Lyme, MTHFR gene mutation and very low coq10.

Overall symptoms of ongoing energy loss, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, depression, shortness of breath with minor exertion, irritability, acid reflux, higher than normal blood pressure and heart palpitations.

Dr. Rucker examined Laura and discussed her history with her. He felt she had a case of Ciprofloxicin toxicity and subsequent immune system derangement. Dr. Rucker felt this clinical scenario warranted a trial of low dose Naltrexone taken each morning at 2 mg daily and this resulted in a very rapid clinical turnaround.

These symptoms have all reversed within 2 weeks of LDN treatment, patient notes that  she feels like a "new person".

Conclusion: Based upon the rapid clinical turnaround, this case presents some interesting findings. We doubt the patient had Lyme Disease. The theory of possible immune derangement due to Cipro toxicity is a reasonable conclusion,  as Low Dose Naltrexone rebalances patients’ immune systems and this seems to be the case. Dr Rucker has treated over 100 patients for various conditions using Low Dose Naltrexone and this matches the clinical findings of other physicians who work with the product.

Side effect profile includes vivid dreams, difficulty falling asleep. These can be dose and time dependent.

Dr. Bihari had patients take the medication at night, citing that the brain makes  endorphins between two and four in the morning. In my experience, I’ve found it more effective to  customize the dosage timing for each patient individually.

Naltrexone  is a prescription-only  medication and treatment requires close monitoring  by a physician.