Methadone and fluconazole: respiratory depression by drug interaction.
A 60-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer achieved good pain control on a stable dose of methadone for 10 days. However, he developed respiratory depression 2 days after intravenous fluconazole was administrated for refractory oral candidiasis. Intravenous naloxone effectively reversed the respiratory depression. This case illustrates a significant interaction between methadone and fluconazole, and highlights the need for awareness of potential interactions between drugs used in palliative care.
Tarumi
Yoko
Y
Palliative Care Program, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Pereira
Jose
J
Watanabe
Sharon
S
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole; D008691:Methadone