Johnson Compounding and Wellness (JCW) is an independent compounding pharmacy with expertise in low-dose naltrexone (LDN), prescribed to benefit patients with a broad range of autoimmune diseases, as well as Long COVID-19 symptoms. Naltrexone has been in use since 1984, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it to help heroin and opium addicts maintain substance abuse abstinence. In technical terms, it is an opioid antagonist. Then in 1985, Dr. Bernard Bihari discovered the positive effects of using a much smaller dose of naltrexone to treat deficiencies in the human immune system.

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body’s cells. Patients with autoimmune diagnoses such as systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and thyroid conditions have all benefited from LDN. In addition, naltrexone has been shown to minimize the progression in patients with multiple sclerosis, and its use has been more recently extended to other neurodegenerative diseases. Although the biological mechanisms of these neuropathic diseases have yet to be identified, LDN can work to support immunity, reduce inflammation and minimize chronic pain.

In regard to Long COVID-19, naltrexone works to limit inflammatory cytokines, which are the regulatory proteins released by the immune cells in response to disease or immunization. Doctors are seeing many patients with lingering symptoms, such as fatigue and diminishedcognition. LDN helps improve energy levels, concentration, sleep quality and mood. Incidentally, patients experiencing lingering respiratory issues, such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or a pervasive cough, can ask their doctors about prescribing nebulized glutithione to help reduce inflammation in the lungs.

LDN is only available through compounding pharmacies and JCW specializes in the field. Its pharmacists are members of the LDN Research Trust and have presented worldwide on the uses and potential benefits of LDN. Unlike mass-produced drugs, compounded medications are created from scratch in small batches by mixing individual ingredients together in the exact strength and dosages specified by a patient’s medical provider. Compounding allows patients to avoid unwanted allergens, excipients and other harmful fillers. The pharmacy can prepare medications free of problem-causing ingredients such as sugar, lactose, dyes, alcohol, gluten or preservatives.

The art and science of compounding was the standard for providing prescription medications prior to the emergence of pharmaceutical manufacturers. JCW has a dual focus on natural medicine and offers a full range of nutritional supplements, natural products and homeopathic remedies. The pharmacy supports the principles of integrative medicine, and its staff works closely, along with patient providers, to offer an enlightened “whole person” approach.