Issues for Surgery |
For opioid dependence – risk of withdrawal effects and relapse if omitted. For pain relief– risk of loss of pain control if omitted. Risk of QT-interval prolongation if continued (see Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents and Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period). |
Advice in the Perioperative period |
Elective and Emergency Surgery Continue. Avoid abrupt withdrawal1. See Further Information regarding the use of methadone for opioid dependence. Perioperative Considerations For Opioid Dependence Post-operative Advice Continue. Review methadone if patient develops a paralytic ileus1. For Opioid Dependence Whilst opioid analgesia is not contraindicated in substance misuse patient, alternative forms of analgesia should be considered where possible (see Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Medications below for information on interactions with other opioids). If pain is difficult to manage post-operatively and patient-controlled analgesia or epidural anaesthesia is required seek advice from Pain Team. |
Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents |
Central Nervous System (CNS) Excitation (Serotonin Syndrome) Some opioids act as weak serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and can precipitate serotonin syndrome in conjunction with other serotonergic medication e.g. methadone. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may occur if methadone is given concomitantly with1, 2: -
Patients should be monitored closely and the possibility of serotonin toxicity considered if patients experience altered mental state, autonomic dysfunction or neuromuscular adverse effects with concomitant treatment1. *opioids with mixed agonist / antagonist properties (e.g. pentazocine) may precipitate opioid withdrawal in patients taking pure opioid agonists, such as methadone1 CNS Depression (see also Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period) Methadone has CNS depressant effects which may be additive with other medicines that also have CNS depressant effects such as1: -
(Consult British National Formulary for available drugs in each class) Bradycardia Methadone can increase the risk of bradycardia when used concomitantly with the following1: -
QT-Interval Prolongation (see also Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period) Cases of QT-interval prolongation and torsades de pointes have been reported during treatment with methadone, particularly at high doses (> 100mg/day)2, 3. Co-administration with other medicines known to prolong the QT-interval must be based on careful assessment of the potential risks and benefits for each patient. Anaesthetic agents that may be used in the perioperative period that are known to, or predicted to, prolong the QT-interval include2: -
*monitor ECG with concurrent use if risk factors for QT-prolongation are also present (increasing age, female sex, cardiac disease, and some metabolic disturbances e.g. hypokalaemia). |
Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period |
CNS Excitation (Serotonin Syndrome) Opioids Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) Other Medications
Monitor patients for symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as fever, tremors, diarrhoea, and agitation. Concurrent treatment should be stopped if serotonin syndrome occurs1. CNS Depression (also see under Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents) Methadone has CNS depressant effects, which may be additive with antiemetics that also have CNS depressant effects such as cyclizine, droperidol and prochlorperazine1, 2. Concurrent use need not be avoided, but patients should be monitored for adverse effects, including respiratory depression and hypotension1, 2, 3. QT-Interval Prolongation Cases of QT-interval prolongation and torsades de pointes have been reported during treatment with methadone, particularly at high doses (> 100mg/day)2, 3. Co-administration with other medicines known to prolong the QT-interval must be based on a careful assessment of the potential risks and benefits for each patient since the risk of torsade de pointes may increase2. Medicines that may be used in the perioperative period that are known to prolong the QT-interval include2: -
*monitor ECG with concurrent use if risk factors for QT-interval prolongation also present (increasing age, female sex, cardiac disease, and some metabolic disturbances e.g. hypokalaemia) Corticosteroids Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone may cause hypokalaemia, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes, which might be additive with the effects of methadone1. Macrolide Antibiotics Clarithromycin, and to a lesser extent erythromycin are inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4; methadone is partly metabolised via this pathway therefore clearance of methadone may be decreased. No case reports have been noted, however, it would be prudent to monitor patients for increased and prolonged sedation with concurrent use and adjust methadone dose accordingly2. Opioids Opioids with mixed agonist / antagonist properties (e.g. buprenorphine, pentazocine) may precipitate opioid withdrawal in patients taking pure opioid agonists, such as methadone2, 3. Methadone might reduce the efficacy of codeine – bare the possibility of an interaction in mind in case of reduced codeine efficacy with concurrent use of codeine and methadone2. Naloxone Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, and can precipitate acute withdrawal syndrome in methadone dependent individuals3. |
Further Information |
Methadone for Opioid Dependence It is important to confirm with the patient’s regular pharmacy / key worker their usual dose of methadone and their dosing schedule i.e. daily collection / supervised consumption. Hospitals should have local arrangements to guide the supply of methadone to patients during their inpatient stay and at discharge. |
References |
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