Subjective and objective symptoms in relation to plasma methadone concentration in methadone patients

Two rating scales, which were originally developed for measurements of objective and subjective signs of opiate withdrawal, were used to evaluate potential estimates (correlates) of methadone effects in relation to plasma methadone concentrations. Patients participating in our regular methadone main...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 1995-03, Vol.118 (2), p.122-126
Main Authors: HILTUNEN, A. J, LAFOLIE, P, MARTEL, J, OTTOSSON, E.-C, BOREUS, L. O, BECK, O, BORG, S, HJEMDAHL, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Drug addictions
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Methadone - blood
Methadone - pharmacokinetics
Methadone - therapeutic use
Opioid-Related Disorders - blood
Opioid-Related Disorders - psychology
Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Regression Analysis
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - blood
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - diagnosis
Time Factors
Toxicology
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Summary:Two rating scales, which were originally developed for measurements of objective and subjective signs of opiate withdrawal, were used to evaluate potential estimates (correlates) of methadone effects in relation to plasma methadone concentrations. Patients participating in our regular methadone maintenance treatment project were studied during 24 h after the intake of the daily methadone dose. Methadone concentrations in plasma were compared to the subjective (estimated by the patients) and objective (estimated by the investigator) signs of the drug effects before, and 2.5, 5, 9 and 24 h after intake of methadone. Some new items possibly related to rising methadone concentrations were added to the subjective scale. Results indicated that, for subjective ratings, the majority of the items investigated corresponded well with the plasma methadone concentrations. The most significant associations were found for the following items: low psychomotor speed, alertness, running nose, yawning and anxiety. For objective ratings, only the items rhinorrhea, piloerection and signs of anxiety were significantly associated with the methadone concentrations. These rating scales may, together with plasma methadone determinations, be of considerable value when making dose adjustments for methadone maintenance patients. Further work is, however, needed to establish concentration-effect relationships.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/BF02245829