Mullins, Cormac F and Walsh, Sarah and Fitzgerald, Joseph (2025) Methadone in the madness: a case series and review of methadone management in hospital settings. Pain Management, 15, (4), pp. 191-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2479411.
External website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17581...
The management of patients on chronic methadone therapy for opioid use disorder presents unique pharmacological and psychosocial challenges in hospital settings. This case series discusses complexities such as methadone's variable pharmacokinetics, alternatives to oral methadone and conversion ratios. Additionally, it outlines the nuances around the psychosocial considerations of methadone therapy and addressing addiction-related behaviors without compromising patient dignity. The review calls for individualized care plans with uninterrupted opioid agonist therapy to meet the baseline opioid requirements and pro-active pain management plans. Enhanced clinician education and better real-world data to guide methadone management is important to improve outcomes for this vulnerable patient cohort.
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Substance disorder drug therapy (pharmacological treatment)
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Substance disorder treatment method > Substance replacement method (substitution) > Opioid agonist treatment (methadone maintenance / buprenorphine)
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Psychosocial treatment method
HJ Treatment or recovery method > Treatment outcome
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Patient / client care management
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Treatment factors
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Patient / client attitude toward treatment (experience)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health care programme, service or facility > Hospital
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Organisational development / co-operation > Workforce / staff skills and training
T Demographic characteristics > Doctor / physician
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland > Cork
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland > Dublin
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