Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Demonstration of the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility Tool for Rapid Assessment of Protein Conservation
Published on: February 10, 2023
Opioid toxicity due to CNS depressant polypharmacy: A case report
Christine Lee1, Annabelle Wanson2, Sarah Frangou3
1BSP Candidate 2020, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Abstract:
The interaction between methadone and central nervous system depressants can cause serious adverse effects, including profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. This poses a challenge in the treatment of patients with concurrent psychiatric and substance use disorders as the combined use is often unavoidable. We report a case of a patient with opioid use disorder, mood disorder unspecified, chronic pain, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who experienced 2 serious episodes of CNS and respiratory depression due to polypharmacy-induced opioid toxicity. Careful consideration of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and patient-specific factors was imperative to identify the suspected contributing medications: methadone, lorazepam, divalproex, gabapentin, and cyclobenzaprine. Cognitive and system factors that contributed to these adverse events and strategies to mitigate risk of recurrence were also identified.
More Related Videos
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
10:17High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena