title: Changes in methadone maintenance therapy during and after pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to better understand anticipated changes in daily methadone doses as a guide for prescription during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective case series involved a single cohort longitudinal design of 139 consecutively chosen women who began methadone therapy before 26 completed gestational weeks. Changes in the single daily dose were based on a standard opiate withdrawal scale and determined from early pregnancy until 6 weeks postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As gestation advanced, the methadone dose increased (86%) rather than remained the same (8%) or decreased (7%). This gradual increase in daily dose during pregnancy (mean increase = 24 mg, 95% confidence level = 20-28 mg) was statistically significant (p < .001) regardless of the initial maintenance dose. By the sixth postpartum week, most subjects (85%) took within 10 mg of their dose at delivery (mean change in dose = -4 mg, 95% confidence interval = -6 to -2 mg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily doses of methadone increased until the third trimester, then remained essentially unchanged through the sixth postpartum week.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
authors: Brittany
authors: B
authors: Albright
authors: Lesley
authors: L
authors: de la Torre
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Skipper
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Price
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Abbott
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Rayburn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003201:Computers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone