RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Intravenous methadone in a patient with advanced cancer
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 277
OP 279
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001624
VO 9
IS 3
A1 Picco Brunetto, Alba Gabriela
YR 2019
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/9/3/277.abstract
AB A patient receiving maintenance treatment with methadone (MTM) was treated with parenteral methadone for intense pain crises in cancer of the tongue with severe mucositis and dysphagia. Authors like Manfredi et al describe good results in the use of methadone as an analgesic in patients with MTM. The difficulties which arise with parenteral use derive from the drug itself and from those to whom the treatment is administered: serious side effects like malignant arrhythmias and respiratory depression and the complex nature of these patients, addicted to opiates with a terminal illness and pain which is difficult to treat. It should be administered by experts in palliative care in a healthcare unit where it can be successfully monitored.