• Mariusz Sikora, Adriana Rakowska, Małgorzata Olszewska, and Lidia Rudnicka.
• Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82A, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland.
• Curr Drug Targets. 2019 Jan 1; 20 (10): 1058-1067.

AbstractNaltrexone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist approved as supportive treatment in alcohol dependence and opioid addiction. At a dose of 50-100 mg daily, naltrexone is used off-label in dermatology for the treatment of trichotillomania and different types of pruritus. At a dose as low as 1- 5 mg per day, naltrexone demonstrates immunomodulatory action i.e. modulates Toll-like receptors signaling, decreases release of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, interleukin- 12), inhibits T lymphocyte proliferation, down-regulates the expression of chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules. The efficacy of standard and low doses of naltrexone in a variety of dermatological disorders has been reported. These include diseases such as familial benign chronic pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease), dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, psoriasis and lichen planopilaris. Optimistic preliminary findings, low cost of therapy and good tolerance make naltrexone a promising alternative therapy or adjunct drug in dermatology.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.

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