title: Effects of HIV triple therapy on methadone levels.
abstract: There is a belief among methadone patients that triple therapy for HIV reduces methadone potency. This cross-sectional study compared the rate of methadone metabolism (peak-trough blood levels) in two groups of methadone-maintained patients, AIDS patients receiving triple therapy (N = 17), and HIV patients without triple therapy (N = 19). These preliminary findings suggest that triple therapy may increase the rate of methadone metabolism, though further studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. akerele@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
authors.forename: Evaristo O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Akerele
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kleber
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D008691:Methadone