Plasma methadone measurements and their role in methadone detoxification programs.
We monitored eight patients who were receiving a decreasing dose of methadone for treatment for opioid addiction (detoxification). Patients with plasma concentrations of methadone less than 0.05 mg/L experienced withdrawal symptoms, relapsed, and re-abused illicit drugs. Four patients took extra methadone (illicitly obtained) during detoxification. None of the eight patients in our study were successfully weaned off methadone: all left the methadone detoxification program before the completion of treatment. Two patients subsequently returned to a fixed methadone program elsewhere, and four relapsed and returned to illicit drug misuse. Plasma measurements may help clinicians assess patients during methadone detoxification.
Wolff
K
K
Department of Chemical Pathology & Immunology, Old Medical School, University of Leeds, U.K.
Hay
A W
AW
Raistrick
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
D008691:Methadone