Self-reported differences between liquid and tablet methadone in persons with opioid use disorder

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Addiction Medicine
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Methadone is a cornerstone medication for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Historically, methadone has been administered in liquid formulations.
• Alternative formulations may improve patient experience and adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient experiences with tablet versus liquid methadone formulations for OUD treatment.
• To identify specific benefits and drawbacks associated with each methadone formulation.
• To assess patient satisfaction and willingness to recommend tablet methadone.

Main Methods:

• A within-subject design was used, transitioning 48 participants with OUD from liquid to tablet methadone.
• Quantitative and qualitative data on patient experiences were collected and compared.
• Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize findings.

Main Results:

• A significantly higher proportion of participants found tablet methadone equal or better than liquid (85.4% vs. 69.8%).
• More participants reported benefits with tablet methadone, including improved taste, convenience, reduced stigma, and better sleep.
• No significant differences were found in managing bowel movements, sedation, or withdrawal suppression, with 81.5% preferring tablet methadone for withdrawal management.

Conclusions:

• Most participants viewed tablet methadone neutrally or favorably compared to liquid formulations.
• Tablet methadone offers potential advantages in taste, convenience, and reduced stigma.
• Tablet methadone effectively manages opioid withdrawal symptoms, with high patient satisfaction and willingness to recommend.