Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Methadone-associated long QT syndrome: improving pharmacotherapy for dependence on illegal opioids and lessons
Georg B Ehret1, Jules A Desmeules, Barbara Broers
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, McKusick Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. georg@rhone.ch
Abstract:
Methadone is used as the pharmacologic mainstay for substitution for illegal opiates and as analgesic for chronic or cancer-related pain. Given the benefits of methadone substitution for illicit opioids, the finding of an association between methadone and prolongation of cardiac depolarization (QT prolongation) and torsades de pointes is of great concern. QT prolongation can occur with many drugs and is a potentially lethal adverse drug reaction, necessitating risk monitoring and therapeutic alternatives in some patients. Recent studies suggest that QT prolongation with methadone is context dependent: occurrence is more frequent with high doses of methadone, concomitant administration of CYP3A4 inhibitors, hypokalemia, hepatic failure, administration of other QT prolonging drugs and pre-existing heart disease. The valued benefit of methadone substitution therapy on the one hand and the increased cardiovascular risk in particular situations on the other illustrate the difficulties in dealing with drug-induced QT prolongation in general.
More Related Videos
09:54Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
Published on: March 8, 2020
16:02Demonstration of the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility Tool for Rapid Assessment of Protein Conservation
Published on: February 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Drug Dependence