The rediscovery of methadone for cancer pain management

Methadone is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic best known in Australia as maintenance therapy for narcotic addicts. Acceptance of methadone in cancer pain management is limited by a poor understanding of its pharmacokinetics and confusion about dosage. Many opioid conversion charts underestimate t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMedical journal of Australia Vol. 173; no. 10; p. 536
Main Authors Ayonrinde, O T, Bridge, D T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Australia 20.11.2000
Subjects
Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use
Humans
Methadone - therapeutic use
Neoplasms
Pain, Intractable - prevention & control
Prospective Studies
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Summary:Methadone is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic best known in Australia as maintenance therapy for narcotic addicts. Acceptance of methadone in cancer pain management is limited by a poor understanding of its pharmacokinetics and confusion about dosage. Many opioid conversion charts underestimate the potency of methadone, resulting in the risk of toxicity. Methadone is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of clinicians treating severe cancer pain, particularly neuropathic pain, that is poorly responsive to opioids or where opioid side effects are unacceptable.
ISSN:0025-729X
DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb139323.x