 |
|
|
|
July 3rd, 2012
02:44 PM ET
Methadone tied to one-third of prescription painkiller deathsIf you are not grappling with cancer-related pain, you probably should not be taking prescription methadone. That is the message spiraling out of startling statistics suggesting using methadone inappropriately is linked to one-third of prescription painkiller overdose deaths. Methadone accounted for a mere 2% of prescriptions in 2009, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data that spans 10 years and 13 states, but was responsible for 30% of prescription painkiller deaths. "Methadone is riskier than other opiates for treating non-cancer pain," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, who added that there is limited scientific evidence it works for chronic non-cancer pain. "It should only be used for pain when other drugs haven't been effective." It appears that some methadone deaths may be traced back to the 4 million prescriptions written for the drug each year in the United States. But according to the CDC report, "Studies using medical examiner data suggested... that most persons who overdosed were using it without a prescription." And while there has not been a dramatic increase in the number of prescriptions written for methadone over the years, the overdose rate from 1999 to 2009 increased about six-fold. CDC data do not characterize how methadone overdose deaths occur, but it is known that prescription opiates can depress the functioning of the central nervous system. Taking too much methadone - or mixing it with other CNS-depressants like oxycodone, hydrocodone or even alcohol - could effectively stop breathing. "(Methadone) acts differently in different people's bodies," said Frieden. "They take a small amount but it could last days in their bodies and cause serious problems." What can be confusing for patients taking the drug is that methadone is long-acting - it tends to linger in the body. That means that after the pain-relief wears off, the drug could still be circulating in someone's system. Patients get into trouble when similar-acting drugs are also introduced during this time. But methadone can also be deadly alone. According to this week's CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, methadone accounted for about 40% of single-drug opioid deaths. The risk of overdose is higher when methadone is first prescribed, if the dose is increased, or if your doctor recently switched you to methadone from another medication, according to consumer information about the drug posted on the National Institutes of Health website. Methadone may owe its status as a preferred painkiller to the fact that it's cheaper than other prescription opiates, according to Frieden. But cheap does not equal effective. "Using methadone for pain is pennywise and pound foolish," said Frieden. "The societal costs of saving a dollar or two from a pill," in terms of deaths, addiction and other problems, he added, "are just too great." Some solutions to the prescription opiate problem may lie in actions already being undertaken by some states, including prescription drug monitoring programs. And the onus is also on doctors, according to the CDC's most recent Vital Signs report. "Providers should use methadone as an analgesic only for conditions where benefit outweighs risk to patients and society," according to the report. "Methadone and other extended-release opioids should not be used for mild pain, acute pain, 'breakthrough' pain, or on an as-needed basis."
Next entry »Company studying OxyContin's effect in children
« Previous entryFDA approves first at home rapid HIV test
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
673609 99186Currently it seems like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform out there appropriate now. (from what Ive read) Is that what youre using on your weblog? 420643
https://thesisacloud.com/ – online thesis help thesis consulting thesis for dummies research thesis
https://thesiswritingtob.com/ – thesiswritingtob.com writing thesis paper thesiswritingtob.com what is thesis in writing
602600 743682An fascinating dialogue is value comment. I feel that its best to write extra on this matter, it might not be a taboo subject nevertheless normally people are not enough to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers 152910
womens viagra pill https://gensitecil.com/ max dose of viagra
cialis free offer https://asciled.com/ how to cut 20mg. cialis
viagra vs levitra vs cialis levitra online pharmacy levitra side effects medications
Zestril https://canadianeve21.com/ Malegra DXT
viagra and high blood pressure https://gensitecil.com/ – viagra ingredients viagra experiences first time
cialis black without prescription http://asciled.com/ cialis in las vegas
research tadalafil https://boxtadafil.com/ liquid tadalafil citrate dosage
cheap genieric cialis https://cileve.com/ best price cialis gen
Dostinex https://uspharmus.com/ – Seroquel antibiotics
levitra interactions http://uslevitraanna.com/ levitra free sample
tadalafil warnings http://boxtadafil.com/ tadalafil bph
canada drugs direct canadian pharmacy kingcanadian viagra Zestoretic
Careprost canadian drug store prescription drugs online without
genuine cialis no prescription http://cileve.com/ 365 drug cialis
Viagra with Dapoxetine https://uspharmus.com/ Diltiazem
cheap drugs online https://canadianeve21.com/ online pharmacy drugstore
blood pressure on cialis http://asciled.com/ cialis where can i buy
viagra in stores http://gensitecil.com/ – viagra from india female viagra
what is levitra used for https://uslevitraanna.com/ levitra dosage reviews
canada pharmacy online http://canadianeve21.com/ reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
cialis https://asciled.com/ mexico cialis
viagra pill http://loxviagra.com/ viagra original use
cialis no prescription https://ucialisdas.com/ – buy cialis with dapoxetine in canada cialis for sale in toronto
pharm canadian pharmacy drugs online general health
online viagra http://loxviagra.com/ – can you buy viagra online mexican viagra
roman viagra review https://jokviagra.com/ marley generics viagra
recetas medicas de viagra https://llviagra.com/ viagra laden
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do
it for you? Plz reply as I'm looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
thanks
viagra vs cialis forum http://jokviagra.com/ viagra for men price
cialis lion http://ucialisdas.com/ cialis low prices
cialis price walmart https://cialisee.com/ cheap brand cialis 20 mg
indian cialis https://rcialisgl.com/ cialis 20 mg online usa
best drugstore foundation for dry skin pharmacy tech canada pharmaceuticals online
tops pharmacy Tetracycline canadian pharmacy no rx needed
cialis generic https://rcialisgl.com/ best prices on cialis online
gastro health http://pharmacylo.com/ Fincar
cialis next day delivery http://cialisee.com/ – brand cialis sale female cialis online
what if a 20 year old takes viagra http://llviagra.com/ – viagra natural mundo verde what viagra used for
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs
http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2006/12/blogging_07.html?m=0
viagra online pharmacy https://loxviagra.com/ viagra online india
This was awesome! I would like you to clean up all this spam though
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusuf-hanafy-82493b183
free cialis canada http://ucialisdas.com/ overnight cialis
viagra to panda https://llviagra.com/ – venta de pastillas viagra usos del viagra en jovenes
viagra results https://loxviagra.com/ viagra 25mg
canada pharmacy online legit http://xlnpharmacy.com/ no rx needed pharmacy
otc viagra alternative https://jokviagra.com/ coupons for viagra