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Methadone: applied pharmacology and use as adjunctive treatment in chronic pain

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: This article reviews the unique pharmacological properties of methadone and outlines its appropriate clinical application, with focus upon its use in the treatment of chronic pain. Although methadone is most widely known for its use in the treatment of opioid dependence, methadone also provides effective analgesia. Patients who experience inadequate pain relief or intolerable side effects with other opioids or who suffer from neuropathic pain may benefit from a transition to methadone as their analgesic agent. Adverse effects, particularly respiratory depression and death, make a fundamental knowledge of methadone's pharmacological properties essential to the provider considering methadone as analgesic therapy for a patient with chronic pain.

Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal

DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2004.022988

Authors: R Brown, C Kraus, M Fleming, S Reddy

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin Health

Language: English

Topic: Pain Management and Opioid Use

Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2113754000