Revisiting methadone: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical indication

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methadone is a synthetic long-duration opioid with pharmacological properties qualitatively similar to morphine for its action on µ-opioid receptor. It is primarily used to treat cancer pain refractory to morphine. This study aimed at presenting a review of this drug with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista dor 2015-03, Vol.16 (1), p.60-66
Main Authors: Barbosa Neto, José Osvaldo, Garcia, Marília Arrais, Garcia, João Batista Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CLINICAL NEUROLOGY
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
dor
metadona
NEUROSCIENCES
opioides
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Summary:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methadone is a synthetic long-duration opioid with pharmacological properties qualitatively similar to morphine for its action on µ-opioid receptor. It is primarily used to treat cancer pain refractory to morphine. This study aimed at presenting a review of this drug with focus on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects, in addition to its clinical indication. CONTENTS: Articles available in Medline, Scielo, Cochrane library and Pubmed platforms until July 2014 were reviewed using the following descriptors: Methadone; Acute Pain; Chronic Pain; Cancer Pain; and Opioids. CONCLUSION: Its pharmacological properties make methadone a unique opioid analgesic, since it is less susceptible to tolerance, prevents hyperalgesia, is less conducive to abusive consumption and has a possible better action on neuropathic pain. However, risks of accidental death due to overdose, of arrhythmias and of pharmacological interactions should not be overlooked. In addition, there is lack of conclusive clinical trials comparing methadone to other analgesics with regard to risks and benefits.
ISSN:2317-6393
1806-0013
2317-6393
DOI:10.5935/1806-0013.20150012