title: Nephrotoxicity of methadone: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methadone is commonly administered for chronic pain relief and treatment of opioid dependence. Concurrent with its increased consumption, toxicities and fatalities have increased. One of the adverse effects of opioid analgesics, including methadone, is that of nephrotoxicity. Opioids can have an effect on renal function through several different mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched common bibliographical databases for the terms methadone, toxicity, poisoning, kidney, renal, and nephrotoxicity and summarize our findings in this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methadone can have both direct and indirect effects on the kidney. These effects include rhabdomyolysis (leading to acute kidney injury), volumetric changes, renal lipidosis and amyloidosis, kidney growth during pregnancy, and kidney transplant rejection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved understanding of the effects of methadone on kidney function can promote safer and more confident use of the drug.
authors.affiliation: Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alinejad
authors.affiliation: Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Centre, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran ; Department of Neurosurgery, Birjand University of Medical Science, Birjand, Iran.
authors.forename: Kazem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghaemi
authors.affiliation: Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
authors.affiliation: Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mehrpour
keywords: Kidney; Methadone; Renal; Rhabdomyolysis; Toxicity