1
|
Tremonti C, Celemajer DS, Marel C, Mills K, Foo S, Wilson J, Slade T, Teesson M, Haber P. Low Risk of Cardiac Complications during Long-Term Follow-Up of Opioid Dependence. J Addict Med 2024:01271255-990000000-00330. [PMID: 38941157 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively assess rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, syncope, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a cohort of people with heroin dependence. METHODS To estimate rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, and syncope, a subcohort (n = 130) from the Australian Treatment Outcomes Study, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 615 people with heroin dependence, underwent medical history, venepuncture, and ECG at the 18- to 20-year follow-up.To estimate rates of SCD, probabilistic matching for the entire cohort was undertaken with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index. Deaths were classified into suicide, accidental overdose, trauma, unknown, and disease, which were then further subclassified by probability of SCD. SCD rate was the number of possible or probable SCDs divided by total patient years from the cohort. RESULTS From the subcohort, 4 participants (3%) met the criteria for QT prolongation; 3 were prescribed methadone. Seven participants (5%) reported history of arrhythmia, including 2 transferred from methadone to buprenorphine. Thirty participants (23%) reported a previous syncopal event-14 diagnosed as nonarrhythmic syncope and 13 not investigated. In the previous 12 months, 66 participants (51%) reported heroin use; 55 participants (42%) were prescribed methadone. No participant had QTc greater than 500 milliseconds.There were 3 possible SCDs, translating to an estimated SCD rate of 0.29 (CI: 0.05, 0.8) events per 1000 patient years. More cohort members died of overdose (n = 50), suicide (n = 11), and hepatitis C (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS Low rates of QT prolongation, arrhythmia, syncope, and SCD in the cohort despite high rates of heroin use and methadone treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Tremonti
- From the Alcohol and Drug Services, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia (CT); Drug and Alcohol Department RPA Hospital, Sydney, Australia (CT); Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney (CT, DSC); Department of Cardiology, RPA Hospital (DS); Heart Research Institute (DSC); University of Sydney Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Sydney, NSW, Australia (CM, KM, JW, TS, MT); Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia (SF); Department of Cardiology, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand (SF); Macquarie University (TS); Black Dog Institute (TS); and Drug Health Services RPA Hospital, Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (PH)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Clement A, Pezel T, Lequipar A, Guiraud-Chaumeil P, Singh M, Poinsignon H, El Beze N, Gall E, Goncalves T, Lafont A, Henry P, Dillinger JG. [Recreative drug use and cardiovascular disease]. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) 2023; 72:101638. [PMID: 37738755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ancard.2023.101638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Widely spread, and continuously increasing, recreational drug use in general population has been associated with cardiovascular events, as illustrated by clinical studies and supported by a pathophysiological rationale. Understanding the cardiovascular effects of drugs, screening, and secondary prevention are crucial components in the management of those patients in cardiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Clement
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Theo Pezel
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Antoine Lequipar
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Paul Guiraud-Chaumeil
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Manveer Singh
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Hugo Poinsignon
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Nathan El Beze
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Gall
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Trecy Goncalves
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Lafont
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Henry
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Guillaume Dillinger
- Université Paris Cité, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U-942, 75010 Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marill KA, Lopez S, Hark D, Spahr J, Kapadia N, Liu SW. Increased ventricular ectopy precedes Torsades de Pointes in patients with prolonged QT. J Electrocardiol 2023; 80:17-23. [PMID: 37105125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a potentially lethal ventricular tachydysrhythmia. Prolonged heartrate corrected QT interval (QTc) predicts TdP; however, with poor specificity. We performed this study to identify other predictors of TdP among patients with prolonged QTc. METHODS We performed a retrospective case control study with 2:1 matching at an urban academic hospital. We searched our hospital electrocardiogram (ECG) database for tracings with heartrate ≤ 60, QTc ≥ 500, and QRS < 120, followed by a natural language search for electronic records with "Torsades," "polymorphic VT," or similar to identify TdP cases from 2005 to 19. We identified controls from a similar ECG database search matching for QTc, heartrate, age, and sex. We compared cardiologic and historical factors, medications, laboratory values, and ECG measurements including ectopy using univariate statistics. For those cases with saved telemetry strips that included preceding beats or TdP onset, we compared ectopy and TdP onset characteristics between the ECG and telemetry strips using mixed linear modeling. RESULTS Seventy-five cases including 50 with telemetry strips and 150 controls were included. Historical, pharmacologic, laboratory, and cardiologic testing results were similar between cases and controls. The proportion of telemetry tracings with premature ventricular contractions (PVC's) preceding TdP was 0.78 compared to 0.16 for case ECG's (difference 0.62(95%CI 0.44-0.75)) and 0.10 for control ECGs (difference 0.68(95%CI 0.56-0.80)). Average telemetry heartrate was 72 and QTc 549 immediately preceding TdP, similar to the ECG values. CONCLUSIONS Clinical factors don't differentiate patients with long QTc who develop TdP, however, an increase in PVC's in patients with prolonged QTc may usefully predict imminent TdP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Marill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - Samantha Lopez
- University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, United States of America
| | - David Hark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Nehal Kapadia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Shan W Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mehta A, Patel BM. Long-acting opioids and cardiovascular diseases: Help or hindrance! Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 149:107144. [PMID: 36740214 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are widely being used for chronic pain management, cough and diarrhea suppressants, anesthetic agents, and opioid de-addiction therapy. Opioid receptors, present in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, are documented to regulate several cardiac functions through different signaling pathways. Long-acting opioids (LAO) have been successfully evaluated for their beneficial effects in various cardiovascular diseases viz. myocardial infarction, ischemic reperfusion injuries, atherosclerosis etc. However, on the other hand, several research studies pointed towards the harmful effects of LAOs which are mainly associated with QTc prolongation, torsade de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. This review shall familiarize readers with the benefits as well as the harmful effects of long-acting opioids in cardiovascular diseases. We have also provided an overview of cardiac opioid receptors, endogenous cardiac opioid peptides, and regulation of cardiovascular functions by central and cardiac opioid receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Mehta
- Labcorp Central Laboratory Services Limited Partnership, Bangalore, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Skowronek R, Krzystanek M. Sudden death during methadone replacement therapy – case report and literature review. ARCHIVES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND CRIMINOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.22.012.16810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metadon to pochodna difenylopropylaminy, wiążąca się z receptorami opioidowymi, która znalazła zastosowanie w programach leczenia zespołu abstynencji u osób uzależnionych od opioidów oraz w programach substytucyjnych. Celem pracy jest opis przypadku nagłego zgonu osadzonego w trakcie terapii substytucyjnej metadonem z praktyki opiniodawczej autorów oraz przegląd literatury. 41-letni mężczyzna obciążony wieloletnim wywiadem nadużywania substancji psychoaktywnych, zwłaszcza heroiny, odbywający karę pozbawienia wolności, po konsultacji w poradni leczenia uzależnień rozpoczął terapię zastępczą metadonem. W kolejnych dniach przyjął dwie dawki leku (po 50 mg). W nocy podczas obchodu stwierdzono zgon osadzonego. Badania toksykologiczne krwi wykazały obecność metadonu w stężeniu terapeutycznym 816 ng/ml. Obecnie uważa się, że nawet terapeutyczne stężenie metadonu zwiększa ryzyko nagłej śmierci sercowej, zwłaszcza u osób predysponowanych (np. obciążonych patologią strukturalną mięśnia sercowego, zaburzeniami rytmu pracy serca, z hipokaliemią, niewydolnością wątroby).
Sudden death during methadone replacement therapy – case report and literature review
Methadone is a diphenylpropylamine derivative that binds to opioid receptors and has been used in drug abstinence and substitution treatment programs. The aim of the study is to describe a case of sudden death of a prisoner during methadone substitution therapy from the authors’ medico-legal consulting practice and to review the literature. A 41-year-old male with a long history of abuse of psychoactive substances, especially heroin, serving a prison sentence, after consultation in the addiction treatment clinic, started methadone substitution therapy. In the following days he took two doses of the drug (50 mg each). The prisoner was pronounced dead during the night. Blood toxicology tests showed the presence of methadone at the therapeutic concentration of 816 ng/ml. Currently, it is believed that even the therapeutic concentration of methadone increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, especially in predisposed patients (e.g. with structural pathologies of the myocardium, cardiac arrhythmias, hypokalemia, and liver failure).
Collapse
|
6
|
Eckhardt LL. Arrhythmogenesis and Prolonged Repolarization From Synthetic Opioids: Finally Sorted? J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e025778. [PMID: 35658484 PMCID: PMC9238742 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.025778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee L Eckhardt
- Department of Medicine University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison WI
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Klein MG, Krantz MJ, Fatima N, Watters A, Colon-Sanchez D, Geiger RM, Goldstein RE, Solhjoo S, Mehler PS, Flagg TP, Haigney MC. Methadone Blockade of Cardiac Inward Rectifier K + Current Augments Membrane Instability and Amplifies U Waves on Surface ECGs: A Translational Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e023482. [PMID: 35658478 PMCID: PMC9238736 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.023482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Methadone is associated with a disproportionate risk of sudden death and ventricular tachyarrhythmia despite only modest inhibition of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr), the principal mechanism of drug-associated arrhythmia. Congenital defects of inward rectifier K+ current (IK1) have been linked to increased U-wave amplitude on ECG and fatal arrhythmia. We hypothesized that methadone may also be a potent inhibitor of IK1, contributing to delayed repolarization and manifesting on surface ECGs as augmented U-wave integrals. Methods and Results Using a whole-cell voltage clamp, methadone inhibited both recombinant and native IK1 with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration IC50) of 1.5 μmol/L, similar to that observed for IKr block (half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 2.9 μmol/L). Methadone modestly increased the action potential duration at 90% repolarization and slowed terminal repolarization at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, action potential duration at 90% repolarization lengthening was abolished, but its effect on terminal repolarization rose steadily and correlated with increased fluctuations of diastolic membrane potential. In parallel, patient ECGs were analyzed before and after methadone initiation, with 68% of patients having a markedly increased U-wave integral compared with premethadone (lead V3; mean +38%±15%, P=0.016), along with increased QT and TPeak to TEnd intervals, likely reflective of IKr block. Conclusions Methadone is a potent IK1 inhibitor that causes augmentation of U waves on surface ECG. We propose that increased membrane instability resulting from IK1 block may better explain methadone's arrhythmia risk beyond IKr inhibition alone. Drug-induced augmentation of U waves may represent evidence of blockade of multiple repolarizing ion channels, and evaluation of the effect of that agent on IK1 may be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Klein
- Cardiology Division Department of Medicine Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD
| | - Mori J Krantz
- Denver Health Medical Center Cardiology Division Denver CO.,Department of Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora CO.,Chief Science Advisor Cardiac Safety and Cardiovascular Imaging, Clario Inc. Philadelphia PA
| | - Naheed Fatima
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD
| | - Ashlie Watters
- ACUTE at Denver Health Denver CO.,Department of Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora CO
| | - Dayan Colon-Sanchez
- Psychiatry Division Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Denver Health, & University of Colorado School of Medicine Denver CO
| | - Robert M Geiger
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD
| | - Robert E Goldstein
- Cardiology Division Department of Medicine Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD
| | - Soroosh Solhjoo
- Cardiology Division Department of Medicine Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD.,Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Bethesda MD
| | - Philip S Mehler
- ACUTE at Denver Health Denver CO.,Department of Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora CO
| | - Thomas P Flagg
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD
| | - Mark C Haigney
- Cardiology Division Department of Medicine Uniformed Services University Bethesda MD.,Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Bethesda MD
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chang KC, Chen KW, Huang CL, Liao WL, Wu MY, Lin YK, Shiao YT, Chung WH, Lin YN, Lane HY. Association of a Common NOS1AP Variant with Attenuation of QTc Prolongation in Men with Heroin Dependence Undergoing Methadone Treatment. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12050835. [PMID: 35629257 PMCID: PMC9143734 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12050835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The effects of methadone-induced severe prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and sudden cardiac death appear unpredictable and sex-dependent. Genetic polymorphisms in the nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) have been implicated in QTc prolongation in general populations. We investigated whether common NOS1AP variants interact with methadone in relation to QTc prolongation in patients with heroin dependence. Methods: We genotyped 17 NOS1AP variants spanning the entire gene in heroin-dependent patients who received a 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) examination both at baseline and during maintenance methadone treatment in Cohort 1 and only during maintenance methadone treatment in Cohort 2. The QT interval was measured automatically by the Marquette 12SL program, and was corrected for heart rate using Bazett’s formula. Results: Cohort 1 consisted of 122 patients (age: 37.65 ± 8.05 years, 84% male, methadone dosage: 42.54 ± 22.17 mg/day), and Cohort 2 comprised of 319 patients (age: 36.9 ± 7.86 years, 82% male, methadone dosage: 26.08 ± 15.84 mg/day), with complete genotyping data for analyses. Before methadone, the QTc intervals increased with increasing age (r = 0.3541, p < 0.001); the age-adjusted QTc showed dose-dependent prolongation in men (r = 0.6320, p < 0.001), but abbreviation in women (r = −0.5348, p = 0.018) in Cohort 1. The pooled genotype-specific analysis of the two cohorts revealed that the QTc interval was significantly shorter in male carriers of the rs164148 AA variant than in male carriers of the reference GG genotype (GG: n = 262, QTc = 423 ± 1.4 ms; AA: n = 10, QTc = 404.1 ± 7 ms, p = 0.009), according to univariate analysis. The QTc remained shorter in male carriers of the rs164148 AA variant compared to GG genotype (423 ± 1.4 ms vs. 405.9 ± 6.9 ms, p = 0.016) in multivariate analysis after adjusting for age and methadone dosage. A cut-off QTc interval of <410 ms identifies 100% of AA carriers compared to none of GG carriers when receiving a daily methadone dosage of 30.6 ± 19.3 mg. There was no significant gene-drug interaction in contributing to the adjusted QTc (p = 0.2164) in male carriers of the rs164148 variants. Conclusions: Carriers of a common NOS1AP rs164148 AA genotype variant were associated with a shorter QTc interval in men receiving maintenance methadone treatment. This genetic polymorphism attenuates the QTc-prolonging effect by methadone, and thus may explain at least in part the unpredictable and heterogeneous risks for severe QTc prolongation and sudden cardiac death in patients on methadone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Cheng Chang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (Y.-K.L.); (W.-H.C.); (Y.-N.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-22052121 (ext. 2626); Fax: +886-4-22065593
| | - Ke-Wei Chen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (Y.-K.L.); (W.-H.C.); (Y.-N.L.)
| | - Chieh-Liang Huang
- Department of Addiction Treatment, Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Nan-Tou County 54249, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Ling Liao
- Center for Personalized Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yao Wu
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan;
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kai Lin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (Y.-K.L.); (W.-H.C.); (Y.-N.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Tzone Shiao
- Center of Institutional Research and Development, Asia University, Taichung 413305, Taiwan;
| | - Wei-Hsin Chung
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (Y.-K.L.); (W.-H.C.); (Y.-N.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;
| | - Yen-Nien Lin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (Y.-K.L.); (W.-H.C.); (Y.-N.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan;
- Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Antoniou T, McCormack D, Tadrous M, Juurlink DN, Gomes T. The Risk of Ventricular Dysrhythmia or Sudden Death in Patients Receiving Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors With Methadone: A Population-Based Study. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:861953. [PMID: 35517813 PMCID: PMC9065276 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.861953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Methadone is associated with ventricular dysrhythmias and sudden death. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) may increase the risk of these events either by inhibiting metabolism of methadone’s proarrhythmic (S)-enantiomer, additive QT interval prolongation, or both. We sought to determine whether certain SRIs were associated with a higher risk of methadone-related ventricular dysrhythmias or sudden death. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study of Ontario residents receiving methadone between April 1, 1996 and December 31, 2017. Cases, defined as patients who died of sudden cardiac death or were hospitalized with a ventricular dysrhythmia while on methadone, were matched with up to four controls who also received methadone on age, sex, and a disease risk score. We determined the odds ratio (OR) and p-value functions for the association between methadone-related cardiotoxicity and treatment with SRIs known to inhibit metabolism of (S)-methadone (paroxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline) or prolong the QT interval (citalopram and escitalopram). Patients who were not treated with an SRI served as the reference group. Results: During the study period, we identified 626 cases and 2,299 matched controls. Following multivariable adjustment, we found that recent use of sertraline, fluvoxamine or paroxetine (adjusted OR 1.30; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.90–1.86) and citalopram and escitalopram (adjusted OR 1.26; 95% CI 0.97–1.63) were associated with small increases in the risk methadone-related cardiac toxicity, an assertion supported by the corresponding p-value functions. Interpretation: Certain SRIs may be associated with a small increase in cardiac toxicity in methadone-treated patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tony Antoniou
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mina Tadrous
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David N Juurlink
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Effects of opioid receptor agonist and antagonist medications on electrocardiogram changes and presentation of cardiac arrhythmia: review article. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2021; 63:471-500. [PMID: 34674120 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-021-01072-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Mortality associated with prescription opioids has significantly increased over the past few decades and is considered a global pandemic. Prescribed opioids can cause cardiac arrhythmias, leading to fatal outcomes and unexpected death, even in the absence of structural cardiac disease. Despite the extent of cardiac toxicity and death associated with these medications, there is limited data to suggest their influences on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias, with the exception of methadone. The goal of our review is to describe the possible mechanisms and to review the different ECG changes and arrhythmias that have been reported. METHODS A literature search was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Ovid, and Science Direct to identify studies that demonstrated the use of prescription opioids leading to electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and cardiac arrhythmias. RESULTS Many of the commonly prescribed opioid medications can uniquely effect the ECG, and can lead to the development of various cardiac arrhythmias. One of the most significant side effects of these drugs is QTc interval prolongation, especially when administered to patients with a baseline risk for QTc prolongation. A prolonged QTc interval can cause lethal torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. Obtaining an ECG at baseline, following a dosage increase, or after switching an opioid medication, is appropriate in patients taking certain prescribed opioids. Opioids are often used first line for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, procedural sedation, medication opioid use disorders, and maintenance therapy. CONCLUSIONS To reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and to improve patient outcomes, consideration of accurate patient selection, concomitant medications, electrolyte monitoring, and vigilant ECG monitoring should be considered.
Collapse
|
11
|
Cardiovascular Complications of Opioid Use: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 77:205-223. [PMID: 33446314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Opioids are the most potent of all analgesics. Although traditionally used solely for acute self-limited conditions and palliation of severe cancer-associated pain, a movement to promote subjective pain (scale, 0 to 10) to the status of a "fifth vital sign" bolstered widespread prescribing for chronic, noncancer pain. This, coupled with rising misuse, initiated a surge in unintentional deaths, increased drug-associated acute coronary syndrome, and endocarditis. In response, the American College of Cardiology issued a call to action for cardiovascular care teams. Opioid toxicity is primarily mediated via potent μ-receptor agonism resulting in ventilatory depression. However, both overdose and opioid withdrawal can trigger major adverse cardiovascular events resulting from hemodynamic, vascular, and proarrhythmic/electrophysiological consequences. Although natural opioid analogues are devoid of repolarization effects, synthetic agents may be proarrhythmic. This perspective explores cardiovascular consequences of opioids, the contributions of off-target electrophysiologic properties to mortality, and provides practical safety recommendations.
Collapse
|
12
|
Solhjoo S, Punjabi NM, Ivanescu AE, Crainiceanu C, Gaynanova I, Wicken C, Buckenmaier C, Haigney MC. Methadone Destabilizes Cardiac Repolarization During Sleep. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:1066-1074. [PMID: 34287835 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Methadone, a widely prescribed medication for chronic pain and opioid addiction, is associated with respiratory depression and increased predisposition for torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal arrhythmia. Most methadone-related deaths occur during sleep. The objective of this study was to determine whether methadone's arrhythmogenic effects increase during sleep, with a focus on cardiac repolarization instability using QT variability index (QTVI), a measure shown to predict arrhythmias and mortality. Sleep study data of 24 patients on chronic methadone therapy referred to a tertiary clinic for overnight polysomnography were compared with two matched groups not on methadone: 24 patients referred for overnight polysomnography to the same clinic (clinic group), and 24 volunteers who had overnight polysomnography at home (community group). Despite similar values for heart rate, heart rate variability, corrected QT interval, QTVI, and oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) when awake, patients on methadone had larger QTVI (P = 0.015 vs. clinic, P < 0.001 vs. community) and lower SpO2 (P = 0.008 vs. clinic, P = 0.013 vs. community) during sleep, and the increase in their QTVI during sleep vs. wakefulness correlated with the decrease in SpO2 (r = -0.54, P = 0.013). QTVI positively correlated with methadone dose during sleep (r = 0.51, P = 0.012) and wakefulness (r = 0.73, P < 0.001). High-density ectopy (> 1,000 premature beats per median sleep period), a precursor for torsades de pointes, was uncommon but more frequent in patients on methadone (P = 0.039). This study demonstrates that chronic methadone use is associated with increased cardiac repolarization instability. Methadone's pro-arrhythmic impact may be mediated by sleep-related hypoxemia, which could explain the increased nocturnal mortality associated with this opioid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soroosh Solhjoo
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Naresh M Punjabi
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Cassie Wicken
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Mark C Haigney
- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
The Use of the Methadone/Metabolite Ratio (MMR) to Identify an Individual Metabolic Phenotype and Assess Risks of Poor Response and Adverse Effects: Towards Scientific Methadone Dosing. J Addict Med 2021; 14:431-436. [PMID: 32032212 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Significant genetic variability of metabolism confounds reliable clinical use of methadone because physicians have no way of identifying individual patient metabolism. The methadone/metabolite ratio (MMR), the numerical ratio of serum methadone to its inactive metabolite ethylidine-dimethyl-diphenypyrrolidine (EDDP), represents the net expression of the genes controlling metabolism. The MMR has been adapted to four established pharmacogenetic metabolic categories: ultra-rapid (URM), extensive (EM, normal), intermediate (IM), and ultra-slow (USM). METHODS This study reports on the analysis of 1700 paired peak and trough serum samples for methadone and EDDP. The MMR data were stratified by metabolic category. The reliability of these categories and the relationship of the MMR to 2 other laboratory assessments, a peak/trough ratio (PTR) and a methadone half-life, was tested. Additionally, peak and trough serum levels were analyzed by MMR category. RESULTS Each category of MMR identified significantly different mean serum levels (peak and trough), peak/trough ratios, and half-lives. When serum levels were analyzed, evidence of subtherapeutic serum levels were found, predominantly in the URM and EM categories. Seventeen percent of peak serum levels were greater than 1000 ng (a level indicating potential toxicity) with a range up to 2384 ng, predominantly in the IM and USM categories. CONCLUSIONS The MMR measures an individual's phenotype for methadone metabolism. The data suggested underdosing in the URM category, as well as evidence of excessive dosing in IM and USM categories. The MMR provides a guide to safe and effective dosing, an alternative to the pharmacokinetically 'blind' dosing algorithms currently in use.
Collapse
|
14
|
Giorgetti A, Pascali J, Montisci M, Amico I, Bonvicini B, Fais P, Viero A, Giorgetti R, Cecchetto G, Viel G. The Role of Risk or Contributory Death Factors in Methadone-Related Fatalities: A Review and Pooled Analysis. Metabolites 2021; 11:189. [PMID: 33810163 PMCID: PMC8004630 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methadone-related deaths are characterized by a wide range of post-mortem blood concentrations, due to the high pharmacokinetic/dynamic inter-individual variability, the potential subjective tolerance state and to other risk factors or comorbidities, which might enhance methadone acute toxicity. In the present study, the association among pre-existing and external conditions and diseases and the resultant methadone death capacity have been investigated. Beside a systematic literature review, a retrospective case-control study was done, dividing cases in which methadone was the only cause of death (controls), and those with associated clinical-circumstantial (naive/non-tolerant state), pathological (pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases) or toxicological (other drugs detected) conditions. Methadone concentrations were compared between the two groups and the association with conditions/diseases was assessed by multiple linear and binomial logistic regressions. Literature cases were 139, in house 35, consisting of 22 controls and 152 cases with associated conditions/diseases. Mean methadone concentrations were 2122 ng/mL and 715 ng/mL in controls and cases respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Lower methadone concentrations (by 24, 19 and 33% respectively) were detected in association with naive/non-tolerant state, pulmonary diseases and presence of other drugs, and low levels of methadone (<600 ng/mL) might lead to death in the presence of the above conditions/diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- DIMEC, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.G.); (P.F.)
| | - Jennifer Pascali
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Massimo Montisci
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Irene Amico
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Barbara Bonvicini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Paolo Fais
- DIMEC, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.G.); (P.F.)
| | - Alessia Viero
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Cecchetto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Guido Viel
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (J.P.); (M.M.); (I.A.); (B.B.); (A.V.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Errico S, Bedocchi D, Drommi M, Barranco R, Bonsignore A, Ventura F. Forensic pathological study of methadone-related deaths in the Genoa (Italy) district: A six-year study. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 79:102149. [PMID: 33667794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Methadone is a synthetic opioid, a pure agonist of the μ receptor. It is used for opioid maintenance therapy in heroin addiction. In recent years, Italian studies of incidence and prevalence have indicated an increase in the illegal sales of methadone and, consequently, an increase in deaths due to acute methadone intoxication as well. The present review is a prospective-observational study regarding epidemiological and toxicological analyses of methadone-related deaths recorded in the district of Genoa (Italy) from 2013 to 2018. The study includes a list of twenty-six people that have died from methadone toxicity: twenty-two males and four females. The concentration of methadone in the blood samples ranged from 181 to 4058.53 ng/mL, with an average of 964.29 ng/mL. Six subjects tested positive for methadone alone; twenty cases, however, presented drugs or substances in different concentrations in the blood samples. Illegal sales and consumption of methadone have a negative impact on the self-administration therapy of opioid addiction, inducing patients to increase their dosage or sell methadone in order to purchase illegal drugs. As shown in our study, this behaviour is associated with an increase in methadone-related deaths. Accordingly, careful monitoring of dosage administrated to patients is required in order to render the system safer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Errico
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Davide Bedocchi
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Drommi
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Rosario Barranco
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonsignore
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Ventura
- Department of Forensic and Legal Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fugelstad A, Bremberg S, Hjelmström P, Thiblin I. Methadone-related deaths among youth and young adults in Sweden 2006-15. Addiction 2021; 116:319-327. [PMID: 32533568 DOI: 10.1111/add.15152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To identify methadone-related deaths and determine the prevalence among youth and young adults in Sweden 2006-15. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS National retrospective registry study comparing data from all forensic autopsy examinations and toxicology cases involving methadone during 2006-15 in individuals aged 15-29 years with police records, previous pharmaceutical prescriptions and health-care episodes. MEASUREMENTS Multinomial logistic regression. To assess the factors contributing to the deaths, we compared individuals with and without previous substance use treatment and opioid use-related diagnoses with regard to previous opioid agonist treatment (OAT), psychiatric care and previous pain medication. To assess the circumstances of deaths, we analyzed the presence of other drugs and other factors at time of death. FINDINGS We identified 269 methadone-related deaths, and the rate increased during the study period. Seventy-two (27%) cases had not previously received substance use treatment, 112 (42%) had received treatment but had no opioid use-related diagnosis and 85 (32%) had received treatment and had an opioid use-related diagnosis. In total, only 10 individuals had been prescribed methadone during the year before death. Prescriptions of benzodiazepines (60%), antidepressants (62%) and opioids for pain (22%) the year before death were common. Most deaths occurred during sleep with a time lag from ingestion of methadone. CONCLUSION Prescription opioid- and methadone-related deaths increased in the group aged 15-29 years in Sweden between 2006 and 2015. Exposure to non-prescribed methadone and prescribed benzodiazepines, antidepressants and opioids for pain appears to be common in drug-related deaths in youth and young adults in Sweden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fugelstad
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Bremberg
- Department of Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ingmar Thiblin
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section for Forensic Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Marel C, Mills K, Visontay R, Wilson J, Darke S, Ross J, Slade T, Haber PS, Haasnoot K, Keaveny M, Tremonti C, Teesson M. Australian treatment outcome study: protocol for the 18-20-year follow-up of a prospective longitudinal cohort examining the natural history of heroin dependence and associated mortality, psychiatric and physical health, and health service use. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039226. [PMID: 32660955 PMCID: PMC7359069 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid dependence is a global health priority, currently making the biggest contribution to drug-related deaths. The chronic, long-term persistence of heroin dependence over the life course requires investigation in prospective longitudinal studies, to better understand patterns and predictors of remission and relapse, as well as the impact of changes in substance use on a range of physical and mental health outcomes. Such knowledge is critical in order to identify modifiable risk factors that can be targeted for intervention. Crucial unanswered questions include the following: What are the long-term rates of mortality? What are the long-term patterns and predictors of heroin use, remission, psychiatric health and health service use? What are the long-term physical health consequences of heroin use? METHODS AND ANALYSIS The 18-20-year follow-up of the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS) cohort will examine the natural history of heroin dependence of an existing cohort of 615 people with heroin dependence, who were recruited into the study in 2001-2002. Five waves of follow-up interviews have since been completed, at 3-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 10-11-year post-baseline. At the 18-20-year follow-up, the ATOS cohort is (on average) approaching their 50s and an average of 30 years have passed since they first used heroin. The 18-20-year follow-up will consist of: (1) a structured interview; (2) physical health assessment; and (3) data linkage. The results of this follow-up will improve our understanding and management of age-related disorders in this population, which if not addressed in the immediate future, has the capacity to overwhelm treatment centres and aged care facilities. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been granted for the study (Sydney Local Health District Royal Prince Alfred Zone, Human Research Ethics Committee X18-0512 & HREC/18/RPAH/733). The results of the study will be disseminated through published manuscripts, bulletins and technical reports, as well as conference, seminars, webinar and workshop presentations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Marel
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katherine Mills
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Visontay
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jack Wilson
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne Ross
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Slade
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul S Haber
- University of Sydney Addiction Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katherine Haasnoot
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Keaveny
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chris Tremonti
- Drug Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maree Teesson
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kelty E, Hulse G, Joyce D, Preen DB. Impact of Pharmacological Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder on Mortality. CNS Drugs 2020; 34:629-642. [PMID: 32215842 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The use of pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorders, including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone has been associated with a reduction in mortality compared with illicit opioid use. However, these treatments can also contribute significantly to the risk of death. The opioid agonists methadone and buprenorphine achieve clinical efficacy in patients with an opioid use disorder through suppressing craving and diminishing the effectiveness of illicit opioid doses, while the antagonist naltrexone blocks the action of opioids. Pharmacological differences between opioid pharmacotherapies then create different temporal patterns of protection and mortality risk, different risks of relapse to illicit opioid use, and variations in direct and indirect toxicity, which are revealed in clinical and epidemiological studies. Induction onto methadone and the cessation of oral naltrexone treatment are associated with an elevated risk of opioid poisoning, which is not apparent in patients treated with buprenorphine or sustained-release naltrexone. Beyond drug-related mortality, these pharmacotherapies can impact a participant's risk of death. Buprenorphine may also have some advantages over methadone in patients with depressive disorders or cardiovascular abnormalities. Naltrexone, which is also commonly prescribed to manage problem alcohol use, may reduce deaths in chronic co-alcohol users. Understanding these pharmacologically driven patterns then guides the judicious choice of drug and dosing schedule and the proactive risk management that is crucial to minimising the risk of death in treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kelty
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Gary Hulse
- Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - David Joyce
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wong E, Ranapurwala SI. Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Medical Use of Opioids and Cannabinoids: A Systematic Review. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12170-019-0625-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
20
|
Sudden cardiac death associated to substances of abuse and psychotropic drugs consumed by young people: A population study based on forensic autopsies. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 201:23-28. [PMID: 31174141 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxic substances are one of the main risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people. However, there is limited information about this matter based on clinical research. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of substances of abuse (legal and illicit) and prescribed psychotropic drugs in young people who died by SCD. METHODS A population-based study performed in 15-35-year-olds who died by SCD in Biscay (Basque-Country) between 1991 and 2016. Cases were analyzed prospectively by a complete autopsy, toxicological and histopathological studies. A case was considered positive for exposure to cardiotoxic substances if smoking status was diagnosed or if toxicological analysis detected any drug associated with increased risk of SCD. RESULTS There were 204 SCD; 98 (48%) were exposed to a cardiotoxic substance, including smoking status (n = 72) and/or positive toxicology (n = 58). Illicit drugs (n = 29, mainly cannabis and cocaine), ethanol (n = 25), and prescribed psychotropic drugs (n = 11) were detected. Positive cases were more frequent in males than in females (54% vs. 19%). They were also more common in subjects who died by acute (86%) and chronic (71%) ischemic heart disease than in myocardial diseases (33%) and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (36%). All positive cases of illicit drugs were males. Smoking status was very high in deaths due to acute ischemic heart disease. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of users of substances of abuse was unexpectedly high, even more prevalent than other cardiovascular risk factors. Toxic substances could play an important role as triggers of SCD in young people.
Collapse
|
21
|
Ogungbe O, Akil L, Ahmad HA. Exploring Unconventional Risk-Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases: Has Opioid Therapy Been Overlooked? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16142564. [PMID: 31323774 PMCID: PMC6678387 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16142564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 2150 adults die every day in the U.S. from Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and another 115 deaths are attributed to opioid-related causes. Studies have found conflicting results on the relationship between opioid therapy and the development of cardiovascular diseases. This study examined whether an association exists between the use of prescription opioid medicines and cardiovascular diseases, using secondary data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) 2015 survey. Of the 1829 patients, 1147 (63%) were male, 1762 (98%) above 45 years of age, and 54% were overweight. The rate of cardiovascular diseases was higher among women [(p < 0.001), 95% CI: 0.40–0.51]. The covariates were age, race/ethnicity, sex, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension; and were adjusted. Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension were significant predictors of CVD [(p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.57–0.78); (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.34–0.44); (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.49–0.59)]. There was no significant association between prescription opioid medication use and coronary artery disease [first opioid group p = 0.34, Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR): 1.39, 95% CI: 0.71–2.75; second opioid group: p = 0.59, POR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.61–2.37, and third opioid group: p = 0.62, POR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.45–1.6]. The results of this study further accentuate the conflicting results in literature. Further research is recommended, with a focus on those geographical areas where high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwabunmi Ogungbe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
| | - Luma Akil
- Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
| | - Hafiz A Ahmad
- Department of Biology, Jackson state University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Opioid Use and Outcomes in Hospitalized Older Patients With Heart Failure Receiving and Not Receiving Hospice Referrals. Am J Ther 2019; 27:e356-e365. [PMID: 31145140 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000000987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of opioids is associated with poor outcomes. Less is known about this association in patients with heart failure (HF) and whether it varies by the receipt of hospice care. METHODS Of the 7467 patients hospitalized for HF without previous opioid use, 124 received discharge opioids. We matched 123 of these patients with 123 not receiving opioids based on their propensity scores for opioid use, thus assembling a matched cohort of 246 patients balanced on 30 baseline characteristics (mean age, 76 years, 60% women, and 11% African American). We repeated the process in hospice (n = 155; 20 received opioids) and nonhospice (n = 7298; 104 received opioids) subgroups, thus assembling 2 matched cohorts of 22 and 208 patients, respectively. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with opioid use were estimated from matched cohorts. RESULTS During 8.6 (median, 1.4) years of follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 80% and 68% of matched patients in the opioid and nonopioid groups, respectively (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.11-1.99; P = 0.008). There was evidence of heterogeneity in this association between hospice and nonhospice patients (P for interaction, 0.027). Among matched hospice and nonhospice patients, HRs (95% CIs) for mortality were 6.37 (2.06-19.69; P = 0.001) and 1.42 (1.03-1.96; P = 0.035), respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for 30-day and 1-year mortality were 1.98 (1.06-3.70; P = 0.033) and 1.72 (1.18-2.49; P = 0.004), respectively. HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause, HF, and non-HF readmissions were 1.31 (0.97-1.76; P = 0.079), 1.03 (0.71-1.49; P = 0.866), and 1.75 (1.05-2.91; P = 0.031), respectively. Readmission associations were similar among matched nonhospice patients. There was no readmission among matched hospice patients receiving opioids. CONCLUSIONS In older patients with HF, opioid use is associated with a higher risk of mortality, which is greater in the hospice subgroup, and a higher risk of non-HF readmission in the nonhospice subgroup.
Collapse
|
23
|
Chera H, Nagar M, Richler A, Pourriahi M, Al-Sadawi M, Gunsburg M, Shoenfeld Y, Rosen Y. Autoantibodies for Cardiac Channels and Sudden Cardiac Death and its Relationship to Autoimmune Disorders. Curr Cardiol Rev 2019; 15:49-54. [PMID: 30009713 PMCID: PMC6367693 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x14666180716095201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is an unexpected death caused by heart dys-function. Autoantibodies against cardiac proteins may be potentially involved in the occurrence and progression of cardiac disease and SCD. The first report on the role of autoantibodies in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy appeared in the 1980s. In recent years new studies on the effects of the pres-ence of specific autoantibodies and their relationship to ventricular arrhythmias and SCD were pub-lished. The purpose of the current mini-review is to analyze the results of the research studies focused on the relationship between anti-cardiomyocyte autoantibodies and SCD with respect to autoimmune disorders. Conclusion: According to our analysis, more research is needed to understand the role of these auto-antibodies against cardiac proteins in the SCD pathogenesis, and potentially employ this knowledge for improving prognosis of SCD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hymie Chera
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 470 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, United States
| | - Menachem Nagar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Brookdale University Hospital, 1 Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11212, United States
| | - Aaron Richler
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 470 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, United States
| | - Mahyar Pourriahi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 470 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, United States
| | - Mohammed Al-Sadawi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 470 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, United States
| | - Moshe Gunsburg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Brookdale University Hospital, 1 Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11212, United States
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel-Aviv University School of Medicine, Tel-Hashomer 5265601, Israel
| | - Yitzhak Rosen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 470 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, United States.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Brookdale University Hospital, 1 Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11212, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Fakhraei N, Javadian N, Rahimian R, Nili F, Rahimi N, Hashemizadeh S, Dehpour AR. Involvement of central opioid receptors in protective effects of methadone on experimental colitis in rats. Inflammopharmacology 2018; 26:1399-1413. [PMID: 30318564 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-018-0538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are several lines of evidence on the protective roles of opioids in gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions. This study aims to distinguish the central and peripheral roles of methadone, a non-selective opioid receptor agonist, in an acute model of ulcerative colitis in male rats. METHODS Ulcerative colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of acetic acid 4%. Methadone was injected subcutaneously (s.c.), 5 and 10 mg/kg, and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), 50 and 300 ng/rat. Opioid antagonists were employed. Methylnaltrexone (MNTX; 5 mg/kg, i.p.), a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, and naltrexone (NTX; 5 mg/kg, i.p. and 10 ng/rat, i.c.v.), a peripherally and centrally acting opioid receptor antagonist were injected before methadone (10 mg/kg, s.c. and or 300 ng/rat, i.c.v.) administration. NTX (5 mg/kg, i.p. and 10 ng/rat, i.c.v.) were administered 30 min prior to administration of methadone (10 mg/kg, s.c. and 300 ng/rat, i.c.v.), respectively. MNTX (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 30 min prior to methadone (10 mg/kg, s.c.). Seventy-two hours following colitis induction, macroscopic and microscopic mucosal lesions, and the colonic levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined. RESULTS Methadone (300 ng/rat, i.c.v.) and Methadone (5 and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) improved the macroscopic and microscopic scores through opioid receptors. Also, a significant reduction in TNF-α and IL-1β was observed. Peripherally and centrally injected NTX significantly reversed methadone 10 mg/kg s.c. anti-inflammatory effects while MNTX could not completely reverse this effect. Moreover, centrally administered methadone (300 ng/rat) showed the anti-inflammatory effect which was reversed by central administration of NTX (10 ng/rat). CONCLUSIONS The opioid receptors mainly the central opioid receptors may mediate the protective actions of methadone on the experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease in rat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Fakhraei
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nina Javadian
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Rahimian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Nili
- Department of Pathology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Rahimi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Hashemizadeh
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ahmad-Molaei L, Hassanian-Moghaddam H, Farnaghi F, Tomaz C, Haghparast A. Delay-Dependent Impairments in Memory and Motor Functions After Acute Methadone Overdose in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1023. [PMID: 30250433 PMCID: PMC6139438 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Methadone is used as a substitution drug for the treatment of opioid dependence and chronic pain. Despite its widespread use and availability, there is a serious concern with respect to the relative safety of methadone. The purpose of this study was to characterize how acute methadone overdose affects the cognitive and motor performance of naïve healthy rats. The methadone overdose was induced by administering an acute toxic dose of methadone (15 mg/kg; ip; the equivalent dose of 80% of LD50) to adolescent rats. Resuscitation using a ventilator pump along with a single dose of naloxone (2 mg/kg; ip) was administered following the occurrence of apnea. The animals which were successfully resuscitated divided randomly into three apnea groups that evaluated either on day 1, 5, or 10 post-resuscitation (M/N-Day 1, M/N-Day 5, and M/N-Day 10 groups) in the Y-maze and novel object memory recognition tasks as well as pole and rotarod tests. The data revealed that a single toxic dose of methadone had an adverse effect on spontaneous behavior. In addition, Recognition memory impairment was observed in the M/N-Day 1, 5, and 10 groups after methadone-induced apnea. Further, descending time in the M/N-Day 5 group increased significantly in comparison with its respective Saline control group. The overall results indicate that acute methadone-overdose-induced apnea produced delay-dependent cognitive and motor impairment. We suggest that methadone poisoning should be considered as a possible cause of delayed neurological disorders, which might be transient, in some types of memory or motor performance in naïve healthy rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Ahmad-Molaei
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Farnaghi
- Department of Pediatric Clinical Toxicology, Loghman-Hakim Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Carlos Tomaz
- Neuroscience Research Program, CEUMA University, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kharasch ED. Current Concepts in Methadone Metabolism and Transport. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2018; 6:125-134. [PMID: 28263461 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Methadone is a cornerstone therapy for opioid addiction and a public health strategy for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C reduction. Methadone is also used for acute and chronic pain. As use for chronic pain has grown, so too have adverse events. Constitutive and acquired (drug interactions) inter- and intraindividual variability in methadone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics confounds reliable clinical use. Identification of enzymes and transporters responsible for methadone disposition has been a long-sought ideal. Initial in vitro studies identified CYP3A4 as metabolizing methadone. Subsequently, by extrapolation, CYP3A4 was long assumed to be responsible for clinical methadone disposition. However, CYP2B6 is also a major catalyst of methadone metabolism in vitro. It has now been unequivocally established that CYP2B6, not CYP3A4, is the principal determinant of methadone metabolism, clearance, elimination, and plasma concentrations in humans. Methadone disposition is susceptible to inductive and inhibitory drug interactions. CYP2B6 genetics also influences methadone metabolism and clearance, which were diminished in CYP2B6*6 carriers and increased in CYP2B6*4 carriers. CYP2B6 genetics can explain, in part, interindividual variability in methadone metabolism and clearance. Thus, both constitutive variability due to CYP2B6 genetics, and CYP2B6-mediated drug interactions, can alter methadone disposition, clinical effect, and drug safety. Methadone is not a substrate for major influx or efflux transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Kharasch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,The Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Atayee RS, Hur GH, Karimian P, Hollenbach KA, Edmonds KP. Methadone Inpatient and Discharge Prescribing Patterns for Pain at an Academic Health System. J Palliat Med 2018; 20:184-192. [PMID: 28085545 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, but its unique pharmacology requires additional considerations with dosing and monitoring. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to evaluate methadone prescribing for pain and subsequent monitoring. METHODS This retrospective chart review at a single center reviewed patients who received methadone over a two-year period. RESULTS Of the 100 patients, most were noncancer cases (60%) with unspecified pain (50%). The majority of methadone treatments were initiated by medicine service (37%), followed by burn service (27%), and trauma (10%). Forty-two percent of the patients were being followed by the palliative care team, primarily for the medicine patients (80%). Patients on the burn service had significantly higher oral morphine equivalent (χ2 = 10.6, p = 0.01) and longest length of stay (χ2 = 37.9, p = 0.0001). Patients on medicine service were significantly more likely to have an outpatient discharge plan for methadone starts in the hospital (odds ratio = 3.7, confidence interval: 1.4, 9.7). Only 45% of patients had an electrocardiogram (EKG) checked seven days before methadone start and 37% of those have a measured corrected QT (QTc) of greater than 450 milliseconds. Electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) were not consistently checked and, of those that were evaluated, 15-20% were abnormal. There was an average of 2.6 severe or major drug interactions per patient related to methadone, with the most common being related to concomitant sedatives and other medications that prolonged the QTc. CONCLUSIONS Prescribing guidelines for methadone would provide a consistent approach for all practitioners involved in using methadone safely and effectively for chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rabia S Atayee
- 1 Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , La Jolla, California.,2 Doris A. Howell Palliative Medicine Program, UC San Diego Health Sciences , La Jolla, California
| | - Gene H Hur
- 1 Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , La Jolla, California
| | - Parisa Karimian
- 1 Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , La Jolla, California
| | - Kathy A Hollenbach
- 1 Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , La Jolla, California
| | - Kyle P Edmonds
- 2 Doris A. Howell Palliative Medicine Program, UC San Diego Health Sciences , La Jolla, California
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Morentin B, Callado LF, García-Hernández S, Bodegas A, Lucena J. The role of toxic substances in sudden cardiac death. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.remle.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
29
|
Abstract
Our goal consisted of describing the 4-year prevalence, contributors, and interventions for long QTc's in methadone maintenance treatment. Cardiologists' diagnosis of long QTc defined case-ness in 62 patients. Long QTc categories, drawn from epidemiological reports, encompassed 440 to 469 (borderline), 470 to 499 (moderate), and 500+ milliseconds (severe). Data collection included electrocardiograms, demographic characteristics, contributors to long QTc, and interventions-plus-outcomes (defined by resolution of long QTc). Of 62 patients, 21 had 39 long QTc episodes-a 4-year case prevalence of 34%, and an annual episode incidence of 15.7 per 100. Contributing factors identified in 36 of 39 episodes consisted of medication management (n = 19), illicit drug use (n = 11), and other factors (n = 6). Long QTc reverted to normal in 38 of 39 episodes. Of 21 patients, 12 (57%) experienced one or two recurrences. Methadone maintenance treatment physicians normalized most episodes as outpatients, often in collaboration with patients' primary care physicians. One fifth of episodes required hospitalization and other specialty care. Lack of timely QTc normalization may have accounted for one sudden death.
Collapse
|
30
|
Michalska M, Katzenwadel A, Wolf P. Methadone as a "Tumor Theralgesic" against Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:733. [PMID: 29163148 PMCID: PMC5671505 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Methadone has beneficial characteristics as an analgesic against cancer pain, including high bioavailability, multiple receptor affinities, and lack of active metabolites that might induce adverse side effects. However, methadone has an own pharmacological profile that should be considered in the treatment of cancer patients. There is evidence from preclinical studies that methadone could also elicit antitumor activity by downregulating the threshold of apoptosis and to enhance the effects of different chemotherapeutic agents. This confirms the concept of using methadone as a chemosensitizer in the future treatment of cancer. Our article discusses major issues about the role of methadone as a possible “tumor theralgesic,” combining tumor therapeutic and analgesic activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Michalska
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Arndt Katzenwadel
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review replaces an earlier review, "Methadone for chronic non-cancer pain in adults". This review serves to update the original and includes only studies of neuropathic pain. Methadone belongs to a class of analgesics known as opioids, that are considered the cornerstone of therapy for moderate-to-severe postsurgical pain and pain due to life-threatening illnesses; however, their use in neuropathic pain is controversial. Methadone has many characteristics that differentiate it from other opioids, which suggests that it may have a different efficacy and safety profile. OBJECTIVES To assess the analgesic efficacy and adverse events of methadone for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases: CENTRAL (CRSO), MEDLINE (Ovid), and Embase (Ovid), and two clinical trial registries. We also searched the reference lists of retrieved articles. The date of the most recent search was 30 November 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised, double-blind studies of two weeks' duration or longer, comparing methadone (in any dose, administered by any route, and in any formulation) with placebo or another active treatment in chronic neuropathic pain. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently considered trials for inclusion in the review, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. There were insufficient data to perform pooled analyses. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence for each outcome using GRADE and created a 'Summary of findings' table. MAIN RESULTS We included three studies, involving 105 participants. All were cross-over studies, one involving 19 participants with diverse neuropathic pain syndromes, the other two involving 86 participants with postherpetic neuralgia. Study phases ranged from 20 days to approximately eight weeks. All administered methadone orally, in doses ranging from 10 mg to 80 mg daily. Comparators were primarily placebo, but one study also included morphine and tricyclic antidepressants.The included studies had several limitations related to risk of bias, particularly incomplete reporting, selective outcome reporting, and small sample sizes.There were very limited data for our primary outcomes of participants with at least 30% or at least 50% pain relief. Two studies reported that 11/29 participants receiving methadone achieved 30% pain relief versus 7/29 participants receiving placebo. Only one study presented data in a manner that allowed us to calculate the number of participants with at least 50% pain relief. None of the 19 participants achieved a 50% reduction in pain intensity, either when receiving methadone or when receiving placebo. No study provided data for our other primary outcomes of Patient Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC) much or very much improved (equivalent to at least 30% pain relief) and PGIC very much improved (equivalent to at least 50% pain relief).For secondary efficacy outcomes, one study reported maximum and mean pain intensity and pain relief, and reported statistically significant improvements versus placebo for all outcomes with 20 mg daily doses of methadone, but not with 10 mg daily doses. The second study reported differences in pain reduction between methadone (n = 26) and morphine (n = 38) and found morphine to be statistically superior. The third study reported the number of responders (variously defined) for several pain and functional outcomes and found methadone to be statistically superior to placebo for the outcomes of categorical pain intensity and evoked pain. In the two studies that reported data, 0/29 participants withdrew due to lack of efficacy, whereas 4/29 participants withdrew due to adverse events while taking methadone versus 3/29 while taking placebo.One study reported incidences for several individual adverse events, but found a statistically significant increased incidence for methadone over placebo for only one event, dizziness. The other studies did not report data in a manner that enabled us to analyze adverse events. There were no serious adverse events or deaths reported.We assessed the quality of the evidence as very low for all efficacy and safety outcomes using GRADE, primarily because of the heterogeneity of study designs and populations, short durations, cross-over methodology, and few participants and events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The three studies provide very limited, very low quality evidence of the efficacy and safety of methadone for chronic neuropathic pain, and there were too few data for pooled analysis of efficacy or harm, or to have confidence in the results of the individual studies. No conclusions can be made regarding differences in efficacy or safety between methadone and placebo, other opioids, or other treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewan D McNicol
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Pain Research, Education and Policy (PREP) Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - McKenzie C Ferguson
- Pharmacy Practice, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, USA
| | - Roman Schumann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Determination of the unbound fraction of R- and S-methadone in human brain. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:391-392. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1417-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
33
|
Marill KA, Miller ES. Hypokalemia in women and methadone therapy are the strongest non-cardiologic factors associated with QT prolongation in an emergency department setting. J Electrocardiol 2017; 50:416-423. [PMID: 28274542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our primary objective was to determine the adjusted quantitative associations of clinical predictors with QT prolongation, a defining cause of Torsades de Pointes (TdP). METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed on consecutive emergency department patients identified by ECG acquisition date, and heart rate corrected QT (QTc) and QRS durations. QTc was modeled as a function of clinical predictors with multiple linear regression. RESULTS 1010 patients were included. The strongest predictors of QTc and their coefficients were: antidysrhythmic (26.1ms, 95% CI 15.6-36.6) and methadone (43.6ms, 95% CI 28.1-59.2) therapies, and genetic long QT syndrome diagnosis (32.6ms, 95% CI -4.7-70.0). The association of QTc with serum potassium was approximated by a two piecewise linear function that differed by sex. For potassium below 3.9mmol/L, QTc increased by 43.0ms (95% CI 26.2-59.7) and 29.5ms (95% CI 19.1-40.0) for every 1mmol/L decrease in potassium in women and men, respectively. TdP occurred in only 4/686 (0.6%) of patients with QTc≥500 and QRS<120, but mortality during the visit including hospitalization was 8.0%. CONCLUSIONS QTc duration is highly sensitive to hypokalemia, particularly in women. Methadone prolongs QTc remarkably compared to other non-cardiologic medicines. QTc>500 with normal QRS often signifies profound illness and substantial mortality risk, though not necessarily imminent TdP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Marill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Emily S Miller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
McNicol ED, Ferguson MC, Schumann R. Methadone for neuropathic pain in adults. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
35
|
Gao L, Dimitropoulou P, Robertson JR, McTaggart S, Bennie M, Bird SM. Risk-factors for methadone-specific deaths in Scotland's methadone-prescription clients between 2009 and 2013. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 167:214-23. [PMID: 27593969 PMCID: PMC5047032 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.08.627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM To quantify gender, age-group and quantity of methadone prescribed as risk factors for drugs-related deaths (DRDs), and for methadone-specific DRDs, in Scotland's methadone-prescription clients. DESIGN Linkage to death-records for Scotland's methadone-clients with one or more Community Health Index (CHI)-identified methadone prescriptions during July 2009 to June 2013. SETTING Scotland's Prescribing Information System and National Records of Scotland. MEASUREMENTS Covariates defined at first CHI-identified methadone prescription, and person-years at-risk (pys) thereafter until the earlier of death-date or 31 December 2013. Methadone-specific DRDs were defined as: methadone implicated but neither heroin nor buprenorphine. Hazard ratios (HRs) were assessed using proportional hazards regression. FINDINGS Scotland's CHI-identified methadone-prescription cohort comprised 33,128 clients, 121,254 pys, 1,171 non-DRDs and 760 DRDs (6.3 per 1,000 pys), of which 362 were methadone-specific. Irrespective of gender, methadone-specific DRD-rate, per 1,000 pys, was higher in the 35+ age-group (4.2; 95% CI: 3.6-4.7) than for younger clients (1.9; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2). For methadone-specific DRDs, age-related HRs (e.g., 2.9 at 45+ years; 95% CI: 2.1-3.9) were steeper than for all DRDs (1.9; 95% CI: 1.5-2.4); there was no hazard-reduction for females; no gender by age-group interaction; and, unlike for all DRDs, the highest quintile for quantity of prescribed methadone at cohort-entry (>1960mg) was associated with increased HR (1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.5). CONCLUSION Higher methadone-specific DRD rates in older clients, irrespective of gender, call for better understanding of methadone's pharmaco-dynamics in older, opioid-dependent clients, many with progressive physical or mental ill-health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gao
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge CB2 0SR, United Kingdom
| | | | - J Roy Robertson
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh University, EDINBURGH EH16 4UX, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart McTaggart
- Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, United Kingdom
| | - Marion Bennie
- Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, United Kingdom; Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Sheila M Bird
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge CB2 0SR, United Kingdom; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G1 1XH, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wedam EF, Haigney MC. The Impact of Opioids on Cardiac Electrophysiology. Curr Cardiol Rev 2016; 12:27-36. [PMID: 26818485 PMCID: PMC4807715 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x1201160126122405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic opioid agents have been used in modern medicine for over a century and for opioid addiction treatment for over a half-century. Liberal use of opioids in the United States has been attended by an extraordinary increase in opioid-related mortality, with over 16,000 deaths in 2012. As there have been advances in opioid agents for pain and addiction, so have there been advances in our understanding of the cardiac effects of these agents. In the last 10 years, significant data regarding electrophysiologic effects of these agents have been collected. We aim in this review to discuss the effects on cardiac electrophysiology of the various opioid agents currently in use and the evidence that these effects are contributing to the rise in opioid-related mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark C Haigney
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, A3060, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Talebi S, Ghobadi F, Chaudhari S, Gracia E, Olatunde O, Pekler G, Visco F, Hassen GW. When a seizure is not a real seizure! Am J Emerg Med 2016; 34:757.e3-5. [PMID: 26409502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here 2 cases of methadone induced Torsades de Pointes with a clinical presentation mimicking convulsive seizures in a substance abuser. These cases highlight the importance of being aware of methadone-induced Torsades de Pointes and the occasional atypical clinical presentations of this condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Talebi
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Medicine Department, New York, NY
| | - Farzaneh Ghobadi
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Emergency Department, New York, NY
| | - Sameer Chaudhari
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Cardiology Department, New York, NY
| | - Ely Gracia
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Medicine Department, New York, NY
| | - Ola Olatunde
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Medicine Department, New York, NY
| | - Gerald Pekler
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Cardiology Department, New York, NY
| | - Ferdinand Visco
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Cardiology Department, New York, NY
| | - Getaw Worku Hassen
- New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, Emergency Department, New York, NY.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lusetti M, Licata M, Silingardi E, Reggiani Bonetti L, Palmiere C. Therapeutic and recreational methadone cardiotoxicity. J Forensic Leg Med 2016; 39:80-4. [PMID: 26859696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several classes of drugs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and occurrence of arrhythmias potentially involved in sudden deaths in chronic users even at therapeutic doses. The study presented herein focuses on pathological changes involving the heart possibly due to methadone use. 60 cases were included in the study in total and were divided into three groups (therapeutic methadone users: 20 cases, recreational methadone users: 20 cases, and sudden death group in subjects who had never taken methadone: 20 cases). Autopsies, histology, biochemistry and toxicology were performed in all cases. Macroscopic and microscopic investigation results in therapeutic methadone users were similar to those observed in sudden, unexpected deaths in non-methadone users. In recreational methadone consumers, macroscopic and microscopic examination of the heart failed to provide results consistent with acute or chronic myocardial or coronary damage, thereby corroborating the hypothesis of death most likely following respiratory depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monia Lusetti
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Section of Legal Medicine, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Licata
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Section of Legal Medicine, Modena, Italy
| | - Enrico Silingardi
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Section of Legal Medicine, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Reggiani Bonetti
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinical and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Section of Clinical Pathology, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
American College Of Medical Toxicology. ACMT Position Statement: The Use of Methadone as an Analgesic. J Med Toxicol 2016; 12:213-5. [PMID: 26746475 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-015-0532-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
|
40
|
Leece P, Cavacuiti C, Macdonald EM, Gomes T, Kahan M, Srivastava A, Steele L, Luo J, Mamdani MM, Juurlink DN. Predictors of Opioid-Related Death During Methadone Therapy. J Subst Abuse Treat 2015; 57:30-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
41
|
Bernard JP, Khiabani HZ, Hilberg T, Karinen R, Slørdal L, Waal H, Mørland J. Characteristics of methadone-related fatalities in Norway. J Forensic Leg Med 2015; 36:114-20. [PMID: 26439870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
There are currently over 7000 patients enrolled in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) programs in Norway. A rise in methadone-related deaths proportional to increasing methadone sales over the period 2000-2006 has been observed, but the causative factors for these fatalities have been elusive. In the present study, individual characteristics, methadone concentrations and additional toxicological findings were analyzed. Methadone intoxication deaths (n = 264) were divided into 3 groups according to toxicological findings in whole blood: group 1 - methadone detected alone, or together with one additional drug at low or therapeutic levels, or a low concentration of ethanol (<1 g/L) (n = 21); group 2 - multiple additional drugs/substances detected below lethal levels (n = 175); group 3 - one or more additional drugs/substances detected at lethal levels, or ethanol >3 g/L (n = 55). Methadone blood concentrations in decedents who had been enrolled in OMT were higher than for decedents not in treatment, in all groups. Blood methadone concentrations around 1 mg/L were present in fatal multi-drug intoxications in OMT patients. Results suggest that some patients may be at risk of dying when combining therapeutic concentrations of methadone with other psychoactive substances. Somatic disease was a common finding among deceased OMT patients. Concentrations in methadone users not enrolled in OMT were predominantly between 0.3 and 0.4 mg/L and were not related to the presence of other drugs. However, methadone concentrations below 0.1 mg/L may be associated with intoxication following methadone use, both alone and in combination with other drugs. Younger male users (mean age 34 years) seemed to have a higher susceptibility to methadone intoxication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Bernard
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Hassan Z Khiabani
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Department of Pharmacology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Hilberg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Fürst Medical Laboratory, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ritva Karinen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Slørdal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Helge Waal
- SERAF-Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Oslo University Hospital, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørg Mørland
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Forensic Sciences, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Walton G, Nolan S, Sutherland C, Ahamad K. Sustained release oral morphine as an alternative to methadone for the treatment of opioid-use disorder post Torsades de Pointes cardiac arrest. BMJ Case Rep 2015; 2015:bcr-2015-210239. [PMID: 26392442 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2015-210239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In most settings, approved medications for the treatment of opioid-use disorder include methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone, and in some settings, naltrexone. We present a case in which methadone administration was associated with an in-hospital episode of Torsades de Pointes in a patient who was subsequently maintained on sustained release oral morphine (SROM) for treatment of his opioid-use disorder. This transition was made in the context of long-term compliance to methadone maintenance, and with a previous adverse reaction to buprenorphine/naloxone precluding its use. The change to SROM, supported by emerging evidence, resulted in a reduction in the patient's measured QTc interval, prevention of further arrhythmias and continued abstinence from illicit opioid-use. In this context, we believe careful consideration should be given to the use of SROM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Walton
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seonaid Nolan
- Department of Medicine, Urban Health Research Initiative, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christy Sutherland
- Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Keith Ahamad
- Department of Family Medicine, Urban Health Research Initiative, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Pham TC, Fudin J, Raffa RB. Is levorphanol a better option than methadone? PAIN MEDICINE 2015; 16:1673-9. [PMID: 26307179 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone has been a stalwart pharmacologic option for the management of opioid drug dependence for many years. It substitutes for opioid agonists and possesses certain pharmacokinetic properties that confer characteristics preferable to those of other opioids for this application. Methadone is likewise used as an option for the treatment of pain, particularly chronic pain. It has a spectrum of pharmacodynamic activity, including contributions from non-opioid components, that translates to its specific clinical attributes as an analgesic. Unfortunately, basic science studies and accumulated clinical experience with methadone have revealed some undesirable, and even worrisome, features, including issues of safety. The benefit/risk ratio of methadone might be acceptable if there was no better alternative, but neither its pharmacokinetic nor pharmacodynamic properties are unique to methadone. OBJECTIVE We review the basic and clinical pharmacology of methadone and suggest that levorphanol should receive attention as a possible alternative. CONCLUSION Unlike methadone, levorphanol is a more potent NMDA antagonist, possesses a higher affinity for DOR and KOR, has a shorter plasma half-life yet longer duration of action, has no CYP450 interactions or QTc prolongation risk, can be a viable option in the elderly, palliative care, and SCI patients, requires little to no need for co-administration of adjuvant analgesics, and has potentially a lower risk of drug-related Emergency Department visits compared to other opioids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thien C Pham
- PGY2 Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey Fudin
- Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.,School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.,Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Pain Management, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Robert B Raffa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hassamal S, Fernandez A, Moradi Rekabdarkolaee H, Pandurangi A. QTc Prolongation in Veterans With Heroin Dependence on Methadone Maintenance Treatment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS & ADDICTION 2015; 4:e23819. [PMID: 26097838 PMCID: PMC4464576 DOI: 10.5812/ijhrba.4(2)2015.23819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: QTc prolongation and Torsade de Ppointes have been reported in patients on methadone maintenance. Objectives: In this study, QTc was compared before and after the veteran (n = 49) was on a stable dosage of methadone for 8.72 ± 4.50 years to treat heroin dependence. Risk factors were correlated with the QTc once the veteran was on a stable dose of methadone. Differences in the clinical risk factors in subgroups of veterans with below and above mean QTc change was compared. Patients and Methods: ECG data was obtained from a 12-lead electrocardiogram (pre-methadone and on methadone) on 49 veterans. Data and risk factors were retrospectively collected from the medical records. Results: The mean QTc at baseline (pre-methadone) was 426 ± 34 msec and after being on methadone for an average of 8.72 ± 4.50 years was significantly higher at 450 ± 35 msec. No significant relationships were found between QTc prolongation and risk factors except for calcium. The methadone dosage was significantly higher in veterans with a QTc change above the mean change of ≥ 24 msec (88.48 ± 27.20 mg v.s 68.96 ± 19.84 mg). None of the veterans experienced cardiac arrhythmias. Conclusions: The low complexity of medical co-morbidities may explain the lack of a significant correlation between any risk factor with the QTc except calcium and methadone dosage. The absence of TdP may be explained by the low prevalence of QTc values > 500 msec as well as the retrospective design of the study. During long-term methadone treatment, there was a slight increase in the QTc interval but we did not find evidence of increased cardiac toxicity as a reason for treatment termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Hassamal
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA
- Corresponding author: Sameer Hassamal, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA. Tel: +1-6263991005, E-mail:
| | - Antony Fernandez
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA
- McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Ananda Pandurangi
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Alinejad S, Kazemi T, Zamani N, Hoffman RS, Mehrpour O. A systematic review of the cardiotoxicity of methadone. EXCLI JOURNAL 2015; 14:577-600. [PMID: 26869865 PMCID: PMC4747000 DOI: 10.17179/excli2015-553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Methadone is one of the most popular synthetic opioids in the world with some favorable properties making it useful both in the treatment of moderate to severe pain and for opioid addiction. Increased use of methadone has resulted in an increased prevalence of its toxicity, one aspect of which is cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we review the effects of methadone on the heart as well as cardiac concerns in some special situations such as pregnancy and childhood. METHODS We searched for the terms methadone, toxicity, poisoning, cardiotoxicity, heart, dysrhythmia, arrhythmia, QT interval prolongation, torsade de pointes, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) in bibliographical databases including TUMS digital library, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This review includes relevant articles published between 2000 and 2013. The main cardiac effects of methadone include prolongation of QT interval and torsade de pointes. Other effects include changes in QT dispersion, pathological U waves, Taku-Tsubo syndrome (stress cardiomyopathy), Brugada-like syndrome, and coronary artery diseases. The aim of this paper is to inform physicians and health care staff about these adverse effects. Effectiveness of methadone in the treatment of pain and addiction should be weighed against these adverse effects and physicians should consider the ways to lessen such undesirable effects. This article presents some recommendations to prevent heart toxicity in methadone users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira Alinejad
- Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences,Birjand, Iran
| | - Toba Kazemi
- Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences,Birjand, Iran
| | - Nasim Zamani
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Robert S. Hoffman
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Ronald O. Pereleman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Omid Mehrpour
- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center (MTDRC), Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Pasdaran Avenue, Birjand, 9713643138 Iran
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ray WA, Chung CP, Murray KT, Cooper WO, Hall K, Stein CM. Out-of-hospital mortality among patients receiving methadone for noncancer pain. JAMA Intern Med 2015; 175:420-7. [PMID: 25599329 PMCID: PMC4346542 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.6294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Growing methadone use in pain management has raised concerns regarding its safety relative to other long-acting opioids. Methadone hydrochloride may increase the risk for lethal respiratory depression related to accidental overdose and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. OBJECTIVE To compare the risk of out-of-hospital death in patients receiving methadone for noncancer pain with that in comparable patients receiving sustained-release (SR) morphine sulfate. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Tennessee Medicaid records from 1997 through 2009. The cohort included patients receiving morphine SR or methadone who were aged 30 to 74 years, did not have cancer or another life-threatening illness, and were not in a hospital or nursing home. At cohort entry, 32 742 and 6014 patients had filled a prescription for morphine SR or methadone, respectively. The patients' median age was 48 years, 57.9% were female, and comparable proportions had received cardiovascular, psychotropic, and other musculoskeletal medications. Nearly 90% of the patients received the opioid for back pain or other musculoskeletal pain. The median doses prescribed for morphine SR and methadone were 90 mg/d and 40 mg/d, respectively. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary study end point was out-of-hospital mortality, given that opioid-related deaths typically occur outside the hospital. RESULTS There were 477 deaths during 28 699 person-years of follow-up (ie, 166 deaths per 10 000 person-years). After control for study covariates, patients receiving methadone had a 46% increased risk of death during the follow-up period, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.17-1.83; P < .001), resulting in 72 (95% CI, 27-130) excess deaths per 10 000 person-years of follow-up. Methadone doses of 20 mg/d or less, the lowest dose quartile, were associated with an increased risk of death (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01-2.51, P = .046) relative to a comparable dose of morphine SR (<60 mg/d). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The increased risk of death observed for patients receiving methadone in this retrospective cohort study, even for low doses, supports recommendations that it should not be a drug of first choice for noncancer pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne A Ray
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Cecilia P Chung
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Katherine T Murray
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee4Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - William O Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kathi Hall
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - C Michael Stein
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee3Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Meissner K, Blood J, Francis AM, Yermolenka V, Kharasch ED. Cyclosporine-inhibitable cerebral drug transport does not influence clinical methadone pharmacodynamics. Anesthesiology 2015; 121:1281-91. [PMID: 25072223 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000000391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interindividual variability and drug interaction studies suggest that blood-brain barrier drug transporters mediate human methadone brain biodistribution. In vitro and animal studies suggest that methadone is a substrate for the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, and that P-glycoprotein-mediated transport influences brain access and pharmacologic effect. This investigation tested whether methadone is a transporter substrate in humans [corrected]. METHODS Healthy volunteers received oral (N=16) or IV (N=12) methadone in different crossover protocols after nothing (control) or the validated P-glycoprotein inhibitor cyclosporine (4.5 mg/kg orally twice daily for 4 days, or 5 mg/kg IV over 2 h). Plasma and urine methadone and metabolite concentrations were measured by mass spectrometry. Methadone effects were measured by miosis and thermal analgesia (maximally tolerated temperature and verbal analog scale rating of discreet temperatures). RESULTS Cyclosporine marginally but significantly decreased methadone plasma concentrations and apparent oral clearance, but had no effect on methadone renal clearance or on hepatic N-demethylation. Cyclosporine had no effect on miosis or on R-methadone concentration-miosis relationships after either oral or IV methadone. Peak miosis was similar in controls and cyclosporine-treated subjects after oral methadone (1.4±0.4 and 1.3±0.5 mm/mg, respectively) and IV methadone (3.1±1.0 and 3.2±0.8 mm, respectively). Methadone increased maximally tolerated temperature, but analgesia testing was confounded by cyclosporine-related pain. CONCLUSIONS Cyclosporine did not affect methadone pharmacodynamics. This result does not support a role for cyclosporine-inhibitable transporters mediating methadone brain access and biodistribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Meissner
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany (K.M.); and Departments of Anesthesiology (K.M., J.B., A.M.F., V.Y., E.D.K.) and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (E.D.K.), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Heesch CB, Copfer AE, Davis SJ, Edwards BW. Evaluation of Methadone-Induced QTc Prolongation in a Veteran Population. Fed Pract 2015; 32:36-41. [PMID: 30766045 PMCID: PMC6363331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of methadone on the QTc interval in a veteran patient population using the drug at lower doses for pain may help clinicians develop strategies and protocols for safe use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie B Heesch
- is a mental health clinical pharmacy specialist, is an intensive care and cardiology clinical pharmacist, is a program manager for education and clinical services, and is an emergency department clinical pharmacist, all at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson
| | - Amy E Copfer
- is a mental health clinical pharmacy specialist, is an intensive care and cardiology clinical pharmacist, is a program manager for education and clinical services, and is an emergency department clinical pharmacist, all at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson
| | - Stephanie J Davis
- is a mental health clinical pharmacy specialist, is an intensive care and cardiology clinical pharmacist, is a program manager for education and clinical services, and is an emergency department clinical pharmacist, all at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson
| | - Bryan W Edwards
- is a mental health clinical pharmacy specialist, is an intensive care and cardiology clinical pharmacist, is a program manager for education and clinical services, and is an emergency department clinical pharmacist, all at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Gillis J, Smieja M, Cescon A, Rourke SB, Burchell AN, Cooper C, Raboud JM. Risk of cardiovascular disease associated with HCV and HBV coinfection among antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected individuals. Antivir Ther 2015; 19:309-17. [PMID: 24429380 DOI: 10.3851/imp2724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in HIV is well established. Despite high prevalence of viral hepatitis coinfection with HIV, there are few studies on the risk of CVD amongst antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated coinfected patients. METHODS Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study participants who initiated ART without prior CVD events were analysed. HBV and HCV coinfection were identified by serology and RNA test results. CVD was defined as any of: coronary artery disease including atherosclerosis, chronic ischaemic heart disease and arteriosclerotic vascular disease; myocardial infarction; congestive heart failure; cerebrovascular accident or stroke; coronary bypass; angioplasty; and sudden cardiac death. The impact of HBV and HCV coinfection on time to CVD was assessed using multivariable competing risk models accounting for left truncation between ART initiation and study enrolment. RESULTS A total of 3,416 HIV-monoinfected, 432 HIV-HBV- and 736 HIV-HCV-coinfected individuals were followed for a median (IQR) of 2.32 years (1.36-8.02). Over the study period, 167 CVD events and 613 deaths were documented. After adjustment for age, gender, race, year initiating ART, weight and smoking status, HBV was not associated with time to CVD onset (aHR=1.05, 95% CI [0.63, 1.74]; P=0.86). There was an elevated risk of CVD for HCV-coinfected individuals, which approached statistical significance (aHR=1.44, 95% CI [0.97, 2.13]; P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with a moderate increase of CVD among individuals with HIV-HCV coinfection relative to those with HIV infection alone, lending support to consideration of initiation of HCV antiviral treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gillis
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
|