The effects of high and low doses of methadone on cigarette smoking.
The effect of methadone dose on the cigarette smoking of five methadone maintenance subjects was studied in a clinical setting. Following a two-week baseline period, daily doses of methadone were either increased (50-80 mg) or decreased (80-50 mg) every two weeks according to an A-B-A-B study design. Continuous self-monitoring was used to collect data on natural smoking behavior, and expired air carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured at each clinic visit. The predicted methadone dose-related changes in smoking were found in three of the five subjects. Fine-grained analysis of self-monitoring records showed that the proportion of total daily smoking was highest within 4 h after taking methadone for three subjects. CO levels were not significantly associated with smoking rate. The results further support and extend previous reports that methadone may produce dose-related increases in smoking. No reactive effects of self-monitoring were observed, and compliance with this procedure was extremely high, supporting the usefulness of this method for assessing natural smoking behavior in this population.
Schmitz
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
Grabowski
J
J
Rhoades
H
H
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009042:Motivation; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*
D008691:Methadone