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Changes in methadone maintenance therapy during and after pregnancy
Brittany Albright1, Lesley de la Torre, Betty Skipper
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|July 12, 2011
Summary
Pregnant women on methadone therapy require dose adjustments. Daily methadone doses generally increased during pregnancy, stabilizing postpartum, aiding clinical prescription guidance.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Methadone maintenance therapy is crucial for pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder.
- Understanding methadone dosage adjustments during pregnancy is vital for maternal and fetal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in daily methadone doses throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- To provide evidence-based guidance for methadone prescription management in pregnant patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 139 women on methadone before 26 weeks gestation.
- Longitudinal data collection on daily methadone doses from early pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum.
- Dose adjustments guided by a standard opiate withdrawal scale.
Main Results:
- 86% of women experienced an increase in daily methadone dose as pregnancy progressed.
- A statistically significant mean increase of 24 mg in daily dose was observed during pregnancy (p < .001).
- Postpartum, 85% of subjects maintained doses within 10 mg of their delivery dose, with a mean decrease of 4 mg.
Conclusions:
- Methadone doses typically increase during pregnancy, particularly up to the third trimester.
- Daily methadone doses remain relatively stable from the third trimester through the first six weeks postpartum.
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