Effects of methadone on liver enzymes in patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.
BACKGROUND
Methadone is currently the most frequently used substance in the treatment of short-term and particularly long-term opiate dependence. Patients' beliefs about the adverse effects of methadone on function of organs, especially liver, have widely affected the use of this substance. This study aimed to determine the effects of methadone on liver enzyme levels in patients on methadone maintenance treatment.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, a total of 94 patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy were recruited from Shahid Beheshti Hospital (Kerman, Iran). Liver enzyme levels in all patients were tested every six months from the onset of treatment until 24 months. The relations between test results and age, gender, and methadone dose were then evaluated. Data was analyzed using logistic regression with random data plan.


RESULTS
At the 24th month, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 4 patients (4.3%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in 3 patients (3.2%) were above normal. Among 46 patients (50%) who had normal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels after 24 months, 26 subjects were younger than 40 and 20 subjects were over 40 years of age. The mean age of subjects with abnormal ALP levels and the mean methadone dose were 39.9 years and 19.55 cc, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicated the significant effect of methadone on ALP levels. These effects can account for cholestatic pattern liver injury (obstruction). Further prospective studies including greater samples of patients with heart and liver complications and encompassing other drugs are required to confirm our findings.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mahin
M
Eslami-Shahrbabaki
Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Health Modeling Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ali Akbar
AA
Haghdoost
Psychiatric Assistant, Shahid Beheshiti Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Azadeh
A
Mashaiekhi
Psychiatrist, Neuroscience Research Center AND School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Navid
N
Khalili
Nurse, Shahid Beheshiti Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Zahra
Z
Amini-Ranjbar
Noor and Aliasghar Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Alireza
A
Ghayomi
Alanine aminotransferase; Alkaline phosphatase; Aspartate aminotransferase; Liver; Methadone; Substance abuse