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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Effect of cocaine use on methadone pharmacokinetics in humans
Elinore F McCance-Katz1, Peter Jatlow, Petrie M Rainey
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. elinore.mccance-katz@ucsf.edu
Abstract:
Chronic cocaine use has been shown to significantly decrease buprenorphine concentrations in the blood with potential for adverse events and poor treatment response. In this study, we investigated whether a similar drug interaction occurred between cocaine and methadone. In a retrospective analysis, methadone pharmacokinetics were compared for those who were either regular cocaine users (N = 16) or with intermittent or no cocaine use (N = 23). Participants who used cocaine regularly showed a significant decrease in C(min) (p = .04) and a trend for decreased AUC (p = .09) and more rapid methadone clearance (p = .08). Regular cocaine use may adversely impact treatment outcomes for opioid dependence in those receiving methadone maintenance by decreasing methadone exposure.
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