Profound morphine tolerance following high-dose methadone therapy.
Cross-tolerance among opioid analgesics may be a barrier to effective pain management. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, methadone continues to remain a viable option when other opioids have failed. Limited data are available regarding the impact of high-dose methadone on subsequent opioid analgesics. Conventional opioid doses may be insufficient for an analgesic effect in patients previously treated with methadone. A case of profound morphine tolerance following high-dose methadone therapy is described. The potential role of methadone-induced cross-tolerance is discussed.
Eugenio
Kenneth R
KR
Saint Luke's Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA. eugeniok@southcoast.org
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics; D009020:Morphine; D008691:Methadone