Treatment of opioid drug addiction Analgesic for moderate to severe pain
DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION
Opioid addiction: 10–40 mg per day, increasing by 10 mg per day until there are no signs of withdrawal or intoxication; reduce graduallyAnalgesia: 5–10 mg every 6–8 hours
20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
<10           : 50% of normal dose, and titrate according to response
DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Antidepressants: concentration possibly increased by fluvoxamine; possible CNS excitation or depression with MAOIs and moclobemide – avoid concomitant use; possibly increased sedative effects with tricyclics
Anti-epileptics: concentration reduced by carbamazepine and phenytoin
Antifungals: concentration increased by voriconazole – may need to reduce methadone dose
Antivirals: methadone possibly increases concentration of zidovudine; concentration reduced by amprenavir, efavirenz, nelfinavir and ritonavir; concentration possibly reduced by abacavir and nevirapine
Atomoxetine: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmiasSodium oxybate: enhanced effect of sodium oxybate – avoid concomitant use
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
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Route
IM, SC, oral
Rate of Administration
–
Comments
Methadone is probably not suitable to be used as an analgesic for patients with severe renal impairment
OTHER INFORMATION
Overdosage with methadone can be reversed using naloxoneRisk of QT interval prolongation especially with high doses and concomitant risk factors