Posted by Toby on August 13, 1998, at 15:21:46
In reply to methadone and benzo's - methadone and morphine , posted by Ilene Baker on August 6, 1998, at 18:38:40
There are no changes in methadone metabolism nor any increase in methadone-like subjective effects when patients on methadone are given low dose diazepam. In studies, patients have been given higher doses of diazepam in a dosing schedule approximating the pattern reported by patients who are abusing diazepam along with their methadone, and researchers found increases in subjective opioid effect scores and increases in phsyciologic measures like pupil constriction. Since there are no changes in metabolism rate, etc, these changes imply an interaction at the brain's receptor level.
Other drug interactions with methadone:
Tegretol -- lowers methadone blood levels and may lead to opiate withdrawal symptoms. When Tegretol is discontinued, methadone levels may rise, leading to toxicity.
Tricyclic antidepressants -- methadone may cause a rise in the blood level of the antidepressant.
Dilantin -- lowers methadone blood levels and may lead to opiate withdrawal symptoms. When Dilantin is discontinued, methadone levels may rise, leading to toxicity.
Smoking -- It has been noted that patients placed on methadone acutely increase the number of cigarettes smoked daily. However, when on maintenance, the number of cigarettes smoked returns to baseline.
poster:Toby
thread:256
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/298.html