title: [Methadone--pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an opiate].
abstract: Methadone is described in this review as a potent analgesic agent; in Germany it is seldom administered as a therapeutic agent. It has the following pharmacokinetic properties: high lipophilicity, large volume of distribution (initial and steady state), low clearance (hepatic capacity limited) with a long terminal elimination time, high bioavailability following oral administration, and a tendency to accumulate in the blood and tissues. The review also considers pharmacodynamic aspects of methadone, which in Germany is available only in the levo-rotatory form; all the effects are conditioned by this l-enantiomer. In other countries methadone is successfully used over the following range of indications: intra- and postoperative pain (intravenous and epidural administration), cancer pain, and non-malignant painful conditions. The concepts of minimal effective analgesic concentration in the blood plasma (MEAC) and concentration required for 50% relief on pain are discussed. The MEAC is lower for the l-isomer than for the racemate. Methadone alone is a good analgesic agent that has slight effects in the form of respiratory depression, to which partial tolerance builds up in the course of long-term use of the drug. The interaction between methadone with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates can be dangerous.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesie-Abteilung, Behring-Krankenhaus Berlin.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jage
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone
vernacular_title: Methadon--Pharmakokinetik und Pharmakodynamik eines Opiates.