[Nevirapine induces abstinence symptoms in patients on a methadone maintenance program with HIV infection].
The objective of this study was to investigate the potential inductive effect of nevirapine (NVP) with methadone. Eight patients on the methadone maintenance programme with anti-retroviral therapy because of their infection with HIV, well maintained with methadone and without symptoms of abstinence were studied. All were included in a study of measurement of plasma levels of methadone. Anti-retroviral medication was changed, including NVP, and patients began with symptoms of abstinence 5 to 10 days later. Our results indicate an inductive effect of NVP on the methadone metabolism which caused symptoms of abstinence in all patients, which prompted an increase in the dose and plasma concentration of methadone was lost; patients continued with significantly low plasma levels (p < 0.01) after a therapy mean duration of 6.5 months, with no full recovery.
Baño Rodrigo
M D
MD
Programa Municipal de Drogas de Majadahonda, Escuela de especialización de análisis clínicos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid.
Agujetas Rodríguez
M
M
López García
M L
ML
Guillén Llera
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D009294:Narcotics; D019829:Nevirapine; D008691:Methadone