title: The rediscovery of methadone for cancer pain management.
abstract: Methadone is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic best known in Australia as maintenance therapy for narcotic addicts. Acceptance of methadone in cancer pain management is limited by a poor understanding of its pharmacokinetics and confusion about dosage. Many opioid conversion charts underestimate the potency of methadone, resulting in the risk of toxicity. Methadone is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of clinicians treating severe cancer pain, particularly neuropathic pain, that is poorly responsive to opioids or where opioid side effects are unacceptable.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Department, Royal Perth Hospital, WA. oyekoya.ayonrinde@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: O T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Ayonrinde
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Bridge
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone