ziagen and Methadone Interactions

Interactions between ziagen(abacavir) and Methadone (methadone)

methadone and abacavir (Moderate Drug-Drug)

MONITOR: The concomitant administration of abacavir may modestly increase the clearance of methadone. The mechanism is unknown. In a study of eleven patients receiving oral methadone (40 mg and 90 mg daily) and abacavir (600 mg twice daily), methadone clearance increased by 22%. This change is generally clinically insignificant but a small number of patients may require a higher methadone dose.

MANAGEMENT: Pharmacologic response to methadone should be monitored more closely whenever abacavir is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the dosage adjusted as necessary.