Methadone, a synthetic opioid related to morphine, is long-lasting. Although opioids tend to have a negative connotation, clinical studies published in 2002 in the journal "Pain Medicine" suggested that methadone has the potential to ease the pain of some of the most severe cases of chronic pain and during cancer treatment. Many factors should be considered before undergoing a course of treatment that includes methadone, and a physician should oversee this treatment.
Heart Arrhythmia
A review in Current Drug Abuse in 2008 and a report in Annals of Internal Medicine in 2002 illustrate that both prolonged use of methadone at low levels and high doses of methadone even for a short period of time have the potential to produce cardiac arrhythmia. An electrocardiogram or ECG can reveal the changes in cardiac function by illustrating a long QT waveform. A review published in Clinical Medicine Insights states that cardio-toxicity is a common problem associated with oral methadone use. In this case, cardio-toxicity refers to a complete disruption of the typical cardiac waveform seen on an electrocardiogram when used to treat chronic pain or cancer related pain. Fortunately, under tightly controlled situations with constant in-patient care, methadone can be used to treat pain in these severe instances without destruction of the typical cardiac waveform.
Heart Attack
A clinical study reported on ScienceDaily.com in 2008 by Oregon Health & Science University suggests that methadone can cause "sudden cardiac death even when it isn't overdosed but taken at therapeutic levels primarily for relief of chronic pain or drug addiction withdrawal." The report continues to suggest that extreme preventative measures should be taken to ensure that a heart attack does not occur, such as an electrocardiogram and general heart health studies taken while asleep and awake.
Heart Valve Damage
On RedFernClinic.com, Dr. Mori J. Kranz suggests that a large portion of patients that receive methadone maintenance treatment have an increased chance of heart valve infection stemming from methadone injection and subsequently needing heart valve surgery or replacement in order to mitigate the damage caused to the heart.
References
- "Pain Medicine" Journal; Methadone reincarnation: novel clinical applications with related concerns; S. Fishman et al.; 2002
- "Current Drug Abuse Review" Journal; Methadone and the heart: what the clinician needs to know; S. George et al.; 2008
- "Clinical Medicine Insights: Therapeutics" Journal; Use of oral methadone as an analgeic: review of the cardiotoxic side effects; Pramod Kumar; April 2010
- "Annals of Internal Medicine" Journal; Very high dose of methadone may cause abnormal heart rhythm; M.J. Krantz et al.; September 2002
- ScienceDaily.com: Methadone Even at Therapeutic Levels Can Kill
