In severe cases of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19, an autoimmune reaction is responsible for deadly symptoms. In stages 2b, late pulmonary effects are seen, and in stage 3 hyperinflammation with cytokine storms occur.

Severe cases of this disease are associated with low lymphocyte counts and high levels of the cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6). As immunomodulators when used in low doses, both low dose naltrexone (LDN) and ketamine reduce IL-6 production, halting COVID-19 disease progression. In addition, LDN is known to have antiviral properties.

The trial, Study of Immunomodulation Using Naltrexone and Ketamine for COVID-19 (SINK COVID-19) is being conducted at William Beaumonts Hospitals and information on the trial can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04365985

Resource:

Elaine A. Moore and Samantha Wilkinson. The Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone. McFarland Publishing. 2009.

www.clinicaltrials.gov