Continuous intravenous infusion of methadone for control of burn pain

Seventeen patients with acute, severe burns were treated with a two-stage continuous, intravenous infusion of methadone to control pain. An initial loading infusion was run for 2 hours at 0.1 mg/kg/hr of methadone; then a maintenance infusion was continued at 0.01 mg/kg/hr of methadone. Median visual analog scale scores were 70% pain relief after the 2-hour loading infusion and 80% after 24 hours. Cardiovascular parameters were stable. There was a significant decrease in the respiratory rate of the patients. It appears that continuous intravenous methadone is an effective analgesic agent for the patient with acute, severe burns. Administration of the drug should be on an individualized basis with conservative dosing in a well-monitored environment because somnolence and respiratory depression can occur.