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.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
J M
JM
Schmitz
J
J
Grabowski
H
H
Rhoades
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