Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Computer-based Multitaper Spectrogram Program for Electroencephalographic Data
Published on: November 13, 2019
Effect of Oral Methadone on ECG Characteristics and Endocrine Hormonal Changes and Their Inter-relationship
Shokoufeh Bonakdaran1, Mahdi Hassan Zadeh Daloee, Ali Akhoondpoor Manteghi
1Endocrine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, Postal Code: 91766.. Iran.
Introduction:
Methadone is the most common opioid in use for opioid substitution therapy. The relation of methadone and electrocardiographic findings is nearly well known while the relationship between its electrocardiographic indexes and hormonal changes is not well recognized.
Objective:
To evaluate the hormonal changes in patients who are taking methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and its effects on electrocardiographic indexes, in comparison with healthy control groups.
Patients And Methods:
40 patients receiving MMT therapy for at least last six months and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum estradiol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and thyroid function tests were measured. Mean QT Interval, P-R Interval (PRi) and QRS duration were also documented in maximum.
Results:
There were no significant differences in hormonal parameters between MMT and control groups. No significant relation was found between hormonal parameters, dose and duration of methadone usage in patients group. QTc was significantly higher in methadone users than control groups. QTc had a significant negative correlation with Testosterone level (r=-0.581, P=0.007) in males. Significant difference was found between PRi in patients and control groups (P=0.007).
Conclusion:
Electrocardiographic changes are an important complication of methadone that seems to be related to low testosterone level in men.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
01:23Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
01:28Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...