Methadone is Deadly Even When Taken as Prescribed
There’s a new study out by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University that doesn’t paint methadone in a very pretty light. It seems that through their work, they have found that methadone can be deadly even when it is taken as prescribed whether the goal is pain management or drug addiction. Even at therapeutic levels, methadone can be the cause of sudden cardiac death, according to The American Journal of Medicine.
The study focused on all sudden cardiac deaths in the area of Portland, Oregon, over a four-year period. There had to have been a detailed autopsy performed in order to be included in the study.
Sumeet Chugh, MD, is the lead investigator of the study and director of OHSU’s Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, as well as associate professor of cardiovascular medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. She says, “The unexpectedly high proportion of otherwise unexplained sudden deaths in the therapeutic methadone group points to a significant contribution of this drug toward the occurrence of sudden cardiac death among these patients.”
The news that a growing amount of research relates methadone to an uncommon ventricular arrhythmia which can quickly turn into ventricular fibrillation and death without medical help is not happy news for those who are on methadone maintenance. If you are being treated for chronic pain or drug addiction with methadone and are unhappy with the risks, you can detox yourself off of the drug using Suboxone. You must be taking no more than 30 milligrams of methadone in order to switch to buprenorphine but those who must go to the clinic each day to dose, will find that a prescription taken at home is a nice change. For those who take methadone in pill form for pain, will enjoy the new clarity that comes from taking a partial agonist as opposed to a full agonist. If you have any questions, you can contact Meditox at their call center any time.
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April 13th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I have recently come upon your website about methadone can be deadly even if taken as prescribed. I have been on methadone, first for pain, and now for opiate addiction for over a year. I am doing very well. I’m at 120 mgs., and have no desire for the oxycontin I’d also been on for more than 6 years. I have an aray of health problems causing chronic pain, and the methadone treatment also helps my pain tremendously. I am however, concerned about these risks I am now hearing about. Please, send me some info. Thanks.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hi, Elena. First of all, congratulations on your success. Learning how to manage pain and then opiate addiction on top of it is extremely trying, physically and emotionally. Reverting back to OxyContins is definitely not the answer. I would suggest talking to your doctor about your concerns, doing a little research on your own and asking your doctor about what other options would be a good fit for your situation. 120 milligrams is a high dose, but your pain level might require it. No matter what, DO NOT stop taking your medication without the assistance and supervision of your doctor. With your doctor, you can weigh the benefits of your prescription medication path. Take your time and, in the meantime, avoid alcoholic beverages and other prescription medications that are sedatives or opiates. Pay attention to your body and if you feel like something is wrong, do not take any chances: call 911 and get help.