The aim of this study was to describe the experience of using methadone
in outpatient treatment for chronic pain at a multidisciplinary pain
center. From January 2001 to June 2004, the investigators performed
a chart review of chronic pain patients on methadone therapy.
The effects on pain relief and function, conversion ratio from other
opioids, side effects, and disposition were reviewed. The main reason
for starting methadone therapy was opioid rotation (72%). On average,
the treatment lasted for 11 months. Most patients (91%) were taking
other pain relievers or psychotropic medications, mostly antidepressants
and anticonvulsants. The average pain score (Numeric Verbal Rating Score)
before methadone treatment was 7.2 +/- 1.7 and after methadone treatment
was 5.2 +/- 2.5. Thirty-five patients discontinued methadone treatment
mainly because of side effects, ineffectiveness, or both.
This study suggests that methadone may be an effective alternative
to conventional opioids for chronic pain management when used by experienced
clinicians in a setting that can closely monitor and adjust methadone
dosing. Peng P, Tumber P, Stafford M, Gourlay D, Wong P, Galonski M,
Evans D, Gordon A. Adapted from Pain Med. 2008 Oct;9(7):786-94.
PMID: 18564997
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed
Credit: PubMed, developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information
(NCBI) at the National
Library of Medicine (NLM).
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