Methadone induction doses: are our current practices safe?

Abstract

Purpose: To review the literature on methadone deaths and propose evidence-based dosing guidelines.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on overdose deaths during the induction phase. Data on methadone deaths from the Ontario coroner's office, as well as prescribing guidelines from different countries and jurisdictions, were reviewed. The information was collectively considered and, using the best available evidence, translated into safe dosing guidelines for methadone induction.

Results: A literature review found high death rates during the methadone induction period. Data from the Ontario coroner's office revealed that of deaths that were felt to be attributable to methadone overdose, the majority occurred in those who had consumed diverted methadone: of those deaths within a registered program, the majority occurred during the initial dosing phase. Despite high death rates during induction onto methadone treatment, many jurisdictions do not have prescribing guidelines that take this evidence into account.

Conclusions: Safer prescribing guidelines are needed to reduce deaths during induction onto methadone treatment. Recommendations are made for safe methadone induction doses.