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Related Experiment Videos

Methadone-induced bradycardia.

Mahi Lakshmi Ashwath1, Mohammad Ajjan, Talley Culclasure

  • 1Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|June 18, 2005
PubMed
Summary

High-dose methadone, used for opiate detoxification, can cause sinus bradycardia, similar to verapamil. This potential side effect is crucial to consider in patients undergoing methadone treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Methadone is a widely used medication for opioid detoxification.
  • High doses of methadone, particularly via continuous infusion, have been associated with side effects.
  • Methadone shares structural similarities with verapamil, a known calcium channel blocker.

Observation:

  • A patient with a history of alprazolam and hydrocodone abuse was initiated on oral methadone for detoxification.
  • The patient subsequently developed sinus bradycardia after starting methadone therapy.

Findings:

  • This case highlights a potential adverse effect of oral methadone.
  • Methadone administration, even orally, may lead to cardiovascular side effects like sinus bradycardia.
  • The observed bradycardia is consistent with verapamil-like effects due to methadone's molecular structure.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should be vigilant for cardiac side effects, specifically sinus bradycardia, in patients receiving methadone.
  • Consideration of methadone's verapamil-like properties is essential for patient safety during detoxification.
  • This finding underscores the importance of cardiac monitoring in patients undergoing methadone treatment for opioid addiction.

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