Methadone Alcohol, Food & Lifestyle Interactions

There are 2 food and lifestyle interactions with methadone which include:

GENERALLY AVOID: The central nervous system-depressant effects of opioid analgesics and ethanol may be additive. The combination of these agents may result in additive CNS-depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, and coma can occur. Death has been reported in overdosage.

MANAGEMENT: The concomitant use of opioid analgesics and ethanol should be avoided.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 8 study subjects stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment, ingestion of regular strength grapefruit juice (200 mL one-half hour before and 200 mL simultaneously with the daily methadone dose) for five days resulted in an approximately 17% mean increase in methadone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) and a 14% mean decrease in apparent clearance for both the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Grapefruit juice did not affect the time to peak level (Tmax), terminal half-life, or apparent volume of distribution of methadone. No signs or symptoms of methadone toxicity or changes in intensity of withdrawal symptoms were reported in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Given the interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of methadone, a more significant interaction with grapefruit juice in certain patients cannot be ruled out. Patients treated with methadone should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice, particularly during the induction of maintenance treatment.

You should also know about...

methadone drug Interactions

There are 810 drug interactions with methadone

methadone disease Interactions

There are 16 disease interactions with methadone which include:

Impaired Gi Motility Infectious Diarrhea Liver Disease Prematurity Renal Dysfunction Acute Alcohol Intoxication Drug Dependence Hypotension

Intracranial Pressure Respiratory Depression Adrenal Insufficiency Biliary Spasm Hypothyroidism Seizure Disorders Urinary Retention Arrhythmias

See also...

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2009 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.