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Related Experiment Videos

Diazepam and methadone interactions in methadone maintenance.

K L Preston, R R Griffiths, M L Stitzer

    Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
    |October 1, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary

    Diazepam combined with methadone may intensify opioid effects in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. This combination, particularly at higher doses, showed increased physiological and subjective responses, potentially explaining diazepam abuse in this population.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Clinical Toxicology
    • Addiction Medicine

    Background:

    • High rates of diazepam use and abuse are observed in patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.
    • Previous data suggest that diazepam may enhance the effects of methadone.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the acute subjective and physiological effects of combined diazepam and methadone administration.
    • To determine if diazepam potentiates methadone's effects in patients on maintenance therapy.

    Main Methods:

    • A double-blind study assessed single oral doses of placebo, diazepam (20, 40 mg), methadone (100%, 150%, 200% of maintenance dose), and combinations.
    • Five adult males on methadone maintenance with a history of diazepam abuse participated.
    • Physiological measures (pupil diameter) and subjective responses were monitored over 2 hours.

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    Main Results:

    • Methadone induced dose-dependent increases in pupil constriction and subjective opioid effects.
    • Diazepam alone did not significantly affect these measures.
    • The combination of 150% methadone dose with 40 mg diazepam produced greater effects than either drug alone.
    • Combined drug effects were often described as benzodiazepine/barbiturate-like, not methadone-like.

    Conclusions:

    • Diazepam combined with methadone can augment certain physiological and subjective opioid effects.
    • The enhanced effects may contribute to the high incidence of diazepam use and abuse among patients in methadone maintenance.
    • Subjective effects of the combination differ from methadone alone.