Intravenous Use of Methadone: Efficacy and Safety

Abstract

Parenteral methadone could be helpful in specific conditions, particularly in unstable conditions of when the oral route is unavailable. Intravenous methadone should be the preferred parenteral route, due to concerns about the local toxicity of subcutaneous route. This chapter assesses aspects regarding the pharmacokinetic issues, the clinical use, the problems associated with the use of intravenous methadone for chronic pain, as well as the perioperative use of intravenous methadone.