The Medical journal of Australia
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Methadone is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic best known in Australia as maintenance therapy for narcotic addicts. Acceptance of methadone in cancer pain management is limited by a poor understanding of its pharmacokinetics and confusion about dosage. Many opioid conversion charts underestimate the potency of methadone, resulting in the risk of toxicity. Methadone is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of clinicians treating severe cancer pain, particularly neuropathic pain, that is poorly responsive to opioids or where opioid side effects are unacceptable.
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Comparative Study
Trends in licit opioid use in Australia, 1984-1998: comparative analysis of international and jurisdictional data.
To examine trends from 1984 to 1998 in licit opioids used in Australia compared with nine other developed countries, and in New South Wales compared with other Australian jurisdictions. ⋯ Australia's consumption of licit opioids ranked high internationally. There were diverse trends in the supply of licit opioids to Australia's jurisdictions, resulting in a heterogeneous pattern throughout the country.