Methadone is in a class of drugs called opiate, or narcotic, analgesics. Methadone modifies the interactions in the brain and the nervous system so that the pain experienced by the patient is lessened. One common use of methadone is to prevent withdrawal symptoms in patients who are addicted to opiate drugs. When these patients are enrolled in treatment programs in order to quit, they are often given methadone.
Methadone is Safe for Liver
Since the start of using methadone to treat patients with addiction, suspicion has circulated that the methadone-maintenance treatment would cause damage to various internal organs, including the liver. However, the commonly used daily oral doses of methadone for the purpose of preventing withdrawal symptoms are safe. Methadone has been shown to be nontoxic to the liver, according to a study led by D.M. Novick, published in "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research." Reported side effects include sweating, constipation, sexual dysfunction and sleep irregularities. These side effects are mild and transient, often disappearing without medical treatment after six months.
Liver Damage Related to Alcoholism
Patients on methadone-maintenance programs often are also afflicted with alcoholism. Alcoholism can cause fatty liver and other severe liver damage. Therefore, early observations of an association between methadone and liver damage were likely due to the alcoholism alone, according to "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences." Methadone-maintenance has actually been shown to prevent further liver damage caused by alcoholism. It is imperative that once a patient is admitted to a methadone-maintenance program, the treatment should not be interrupted to avoid relapse.
Liver Damage Related to Hepatitis
Patients receiving the methadone-maintenance treatment often have a preexisting history of hepatitis and AIDS -- often caused by sharing needles. Hepatitis often reduces the function of the liver and can sometimes cause serious damage to it. Methadone may compromise the immune system, lowering the body's natural defense against most infectious diseases. Although it is true that immunology impairments are frequently observed among methadone-maintained patients, these impairments are actually due to prior chronic liver conditions caused by hepatitis or AIDS. These illnesses are common among people who abuse drugs and share needles and are not caused by methadone, according to "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences."
References
- PubMed Health: Methadone
- "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research"; Effect of severe alcoholic liver disease on the disposition of methadone in maintenance patients; D.M. Novick, et al; 1985
- "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences"; Medical complications in methadone patients; M.J. Kreek; 1978
