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A therapeutic use of the methadone fluvoxamine drug interaction
1Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Background:
Methadone has been effectively used in the treatment of opiate dependence. Adequate dose and blood level have correlated with success in treatment. A number of factors including the regular use of alcohol, medications, and urinary pH can influence blood level and thereby effectiveness. Fluvoxamine has been shown to increase methadone blood levels.
Methods:
Single case report.
Results:
A patient unable to maintain an effective methadone blood level despite a dose of 200 mg per day was administered fluvoxamine with subsequent increase in her methadone blood level and reduction of opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Conclusions:
In patients unable to maintain an effective methadone blood level throughout the dosing interval, fluvoxamine can help increase the methadone blood level and alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms.