Abstract
The authors investigated the intra‐individual variability of methadone plasma levels in stable methadone‐maintenance patients. Methadone trough levels were obtained from 11 male subjects on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the same week. Urine toxicology screens, hematocrit, serum proteins, and liver function tests were obtained at the same time. There was no significant intra‐individual variation in methadone levels. The mean coefficient of variation was 7.9%, and the coefficient of variation was inversely related to dose. Thus, the average range of plasma levels was ± 20 ng/ml across dosages. There was no relationship between the other blood studies and methadone level or variability. Therefore, a single methadone trough level may be used to determine adequacy of dosage in most cases.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call