While generally considered successful as a treatment method, the use of this maintenance treatment is often viewed as controversial. These characteristics can contribute to cases of iatrogenic overdose, particularly during treatment initiation and dose titration.
Opioid Antagonists, Mixed Agonist/Antagonists, And Partial Agonists As with other mu-agonists, patients maintained on methadone may experience withdrawal symptoms when given opioid antagonists, mixed agonist/antagonists, and partial agonists. Accidental or deliberate ingestion by a child may cause respiratory depression that can result in death.
Although antiretroviral drugs such as efavirenz, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, lopinavir+ritonavir combination are known to inhibit some CYPs, they are shown to reduce the plasma levels of methadone, possibly due to their CYP induction activity. Otherwise, if not done with patient and or clinic knowledge, this would be a federal offense, altering a scheduled substance. ... Others advocate for other, safer drugs like buprenorphine, an opioid antagonist that will bind to receptors in the brain (providing pain relief) without activating them (eliminating any potential for a high).
Gender The pharmacokinetics of methadone have not been evaluated for gender specificity. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the overall goal of a methadone treatment or maintenance program is to improve a patient's health and quality of life.
Methadone is sometimes administered as an oral liquid. It also works as a substitute for opiate drugs of abuse by producing similar effects and preventing withdrawal symptoms in people who have stopped using these drugs. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE: Methadone may cause (As can any opiate or opiate like medication used for pain) slowed breathing and irregular heartbeat that may be life-threatening. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and move on. Read More Sorry, but false positives are quite common due to many different things.
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