[Initiation of methadone replacement therapy in the hospital, prescribing guidelines].
BACKGROUND
The fight against drugs and the prevention of addiction is one of the principle aims of the information sheet DGS/DHOS n(o)2002-57 dated January 30, 2002. This text authorises any practitioner working in a health centre to initiate treatment with methadone.


OBJECTIVE
This strategy was set-up in order to make methadone more accessible to drug addicts. It is within this context that the drug and sterile medical device commission of the Philippe Pinel hospital centre of Amiens (80) developed guidelines for the prescription and initiation of replacement therapy with methadone.


CONCLUSIONS
They specify the conditions prior to the prescription as well as the regimen that must be applied during the initiation phase. The modalities of prescription, follow-up and precautions to be taken also figure in the document. Moreover, within the framework of an efficient town-hospital cooperation, the relay conditions to be applied on the release of the patient are detailed.


CONCLUSIONS
Other than simple prescribing recommendations, these guidelines are aimed at improving the global management of drug addicts within the heart of an effective sanitary network.
Pons
David
D
Service de pharmacie, Centre hospitalier Philippe Pinel, Route de Paris, 80044 Amiens Cedex. davidpons@ch-pinel.fr
Fremaux
Didier
D
Duvauchelle
Benoît
B
Loas
Gwénolé
G
Compagnon
Martine
M
D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone
Initialisation hospitalière d'un traitement substitutif par methadone, recommandations de prescription.