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Methadone Prescribing Patterns at a Single Institution: A Retrospective Study and Clinical Implications
Jamal Hasoon1, Amad Qadeer2, Grant H Chen3
1Hasoon, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Methadone prescriptions increased by 51% over one year at an academic university. Further research is needed to understand prescribing patterns for pain management versus opioid use disorder (OUD).
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Methadone is a long-acting opioid with critical roles in chronic pain management and opioid dependency treatment.
- Its unique pharmacokinetic profile necessitates a thorough understanding of prescribing practices.
- Evaluating utilization patterns is essential due to methadone's therapeutic benefits and inherent risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate methadone utilization trends over a one-year period at a single academic university.
- To discuss key considerations regarding methadone pharmacology in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of electronic medical records was performed.
- Methadone prescriptions issued between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, were analyzed.
- Prescriptions were categorized quarterly to identify trends.
Main Results:
- A total of 470 methadone prescriptions were issued during the study year.
- A steady increase in prescriptions was observed, with a 51% rise from Q1 to Q4.
- The data did not distinguish between indications (chronic pain vs. opioid use disorder).
Conclusions:
- A consistent increase in methadone prescriptions was noted at the institution.
- Further investigation into prescribing patterns, patient demographics, and clinical indications is warranted.
- Future studies should stratify prescriptions by indication to clarify utilization drivers and patient outcomes.
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