Rx Methadone & Safety
Dosing
AATOD Methadone Induction Advisory
Released April 2008.
The advisory can be accessed at: http://www.aatod.org/dosage_induction.html
Methadone Dosing & Safety in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor. Released September 2003.
PDF available here for download <click here…> (312KB, 8pp)
When "Enough" is Not Enough: New Perspectives on Optimal Methadone Dose
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, Marc Shinderman, Sarz Maxwell, Chin B. Eap, Phil Paris; Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, Released in 2000.
PDF available here for download <click here… > (91KB, 8pp)
Clinical Diagnostic Tool for Guiding Methadone Treatment of Opioid Addiction
ODAS - Opiate Dosage Adequacy Scale... from Heroin Addiction & Related Clinical Problems. 2004;6(3)39-49. Distributed with permission of the journal.
PDF available here for download <click here…> (452KB, 12pp)
Cardiac Concerns
QTc Interval Screening - AATOD Policy and Guidance Statement
Released April 2009.
The statement can be accessed at: http://www.aatod.org/qtc.html
Drugs That Prolong the QT Interval and/or Induce Torsades de Pointes
Raymond L. Woosley, MD. Updated April 15, 2009.
HTML file available online <click here…>
Cardiac Considerations During MMT
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor & and Mori J. Krantz, MD, FACC.
Released October 2003.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (200KB,6 pp)
Methadone's Role in Torsade de Pointes Questioned
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor.
Released September 2002.
PDF file available here for download <click here...> (250KB, 5pp)
Does Methadone Maintenance Treatment Affect Heart Health?
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor.
Released June 2001.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (PDF file 88KB, 6pp)
Drug Interactions
Drugs That Prolong the QT Interval and/or Induce Torsades de Pointes
Arizona Center for Education and Research Therapeutics - Raymond L. Woosley, MD.
Updated June 6, 2011.
HTML file available online <click here…>
Cytochrome P450 Drug Interaction Table - Version 5.0 Updated January 12, 2009
Flockhart DA. Drug Interactions: Cytochrome P450 Drug Interaction Table. Indiana University School of Medicine (2007). http://medicine.iupui.edu/clinpharm/ddis/table.asp. Accessed 6/23/11.
PDF available here for download <click here…> (278KB, 2pp)
HIV Drug Interactions
http://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/ - This informative and educational HIV resource is valuable for healthcare professionals, scientific researchers or anyone with an interest in HIV therapy. You can find reports on recent news and hot topics in HIV pharmacology, discover comprehensive information, and advice on drug interactions. Access checked June 23, 2011.
American Journal on Addictions - Special Issue on Methadone Interactions With Other Medication and Abused Substances
March/April 2010.
Articles available for purchase at:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123215724/issue.
Methadone-Drug* Interactions – 3rd Edition
(*Medications, illicit drugs, & other substances)
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor. Released November 2005.
PDF available here for download <click here…> (660KB, 31pp)
Safety
SAMHSA Dear Colleague Letter on State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
September 27, 2011.
PDF available here for download <click here... > (1.04MB,12pp)
Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs - Status of States
September 2011.
PDF available for download at: http://www.pmpalliance.org/pdf/pmpstatustable2011.pdf (57.2KB,1pp)
Research Article - Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Patients in a Methadone Program
Chen et al.: Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Patients in a Methadone Program. BMC Psychiatry 2011 11:90.
PDF available here for download <click here... > (170KB,7pp)
Risk Management & Patient Safety in Outpatient Methadone Treatment 2009 Conference Now Available for Viewing on the Web
Available online in 2010.
http://ireta.org/workshopOnDemand.html
Clinical Guidelines and Liability Prevention October 2009 Webinar for OTPs (Toolkit Including PowerPoint Presentations)
Available online from SAMHSA/CSAT 2009.
http://ireta.org/ireta_main/omt2009_toolbox.html
International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) "50 Best" Collection on Overdose
Available online August 2009.
New "Mentoring" Service for Physician Who Prescribe Methadone for Opioid Addiction or Chronic Pain
Available online from American Society of Addiction Medicine in August 2009.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Patient Safety Videos
Available online from
Institute for Research, Education, and Training in Addictions (IRETA).
http://www.ireta.org/ireta_main/patient-safety-videos.html
SAMHSA Emerging Issues in the Use of Methadone Advisory
Spring 2009.
PDF available here for download <click here…> (514KB, 8pp)
"Drug Overdose Reduction Act" 2009
Released June 12, 2009.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (51 KB, 12pp)
FDA/SAMHSA Methadone Safety Education Program - Follow Directions: How to Use Methadone 
Safely
From the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
Released April 2009.
These public education materials (brochure, fact sheet, and poster) were designed specifically for this campaign to inform patients and healthcare professionals that methadone is a safe and effective treatment when used exactly as prescribed. The materials are available in English and Spanish.
To download or order printed copies <click here…>
GAO Report - Methadone-Associated Overdose Deaths
From U.S. Government Accountability Office
Released March 2009.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (1.73 MB, 55pp)
Preventing Overdose Deaths: Strategies for Combating a National Crisis
Drug Policy Alliance.
Released March, 2009.
PDF file available for download <click here…> ( 24pp)
OTP Mortality Reporting Form
From Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
Released November 2008.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (2pp)
AT Forum Summer 2007 Newsletter Methadone Overdose in MMT - What to know. How to prevent it. What to do if it happens.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (8pp)
Methadone Diversion, Abuse, and Misuse: Deaths Increasing at Alarming Rate 
From U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center
Released November 2007.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (20pp)
State Issue Brief on Methadone Overdose Deaths
From National Association of State Alcohol Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
Released November 2007.
PDF file available online <click here…> (23pp)
NASADAD State Issue Brief
on Methadone Overdose Report
Methadone Mortality - A Reassessment July 2007
From CSAT/DPT. Released October 2007.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (426 KB, 48pp)
A National Assessment of Methadone-Associated Mortality: Background Briefing Report
PDF available here for download: CSAT_Methadone_Briefing.pdf (658 KB; 77pp)
Methadone-Associated Mortality: Report of a National Assessment. From CSAT/DPT, 2004.
PDF file available here for download <click here…> (428KB, 60pp)
The Safety of Methadone, LAAM, Buprenorphine
Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD; Editor. Released 2001.
(MS Word Document available here for download <click here…> (48KB, 22pp)
Note: Also see, AT Forum, Spring 2001; 10(2)
FDA Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers
Patients and providers can now go to a single web page to find information on a variety of prescription drugs. Information is available on: drug labeling, including package inserts; drugs that have a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS); warning letters and alerts; and regulations and guidance documents.
HTML file available online <click here... >
Guide to Treating Drug Emergencies 
Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 6th ed., Marc A. Schuckit, MD provides an overview of drug classifications and mechanisms, and covers the pharmacology and mental/physical effects of alcohol, depressants, stimulants, opioids, hallucinogens, cannabis, and more. Most critical, there is an emphasis throughout the book on how to deal with emergency medical problems related to drug abuse, addiction, and overdose.
Schuckit recommends skimming all of the chapters covering the many drug classes. From there, the book can serve as a handbook, kept nearby for easily-accessed advice on dealing with drug-related crises or confirming suspected drug-induced symptomatology appearing in clinical settings.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 6th ed. is from Springer. Available online from www.amazon.com ($55.00 + shipping) and at other booksellers.
All URL links noted in documents at this AT Forum website were active at the time of publication. Since the Internet is constantly changing, some linked sites may have moved or become inactive, which is beyond the control of AT Forum.