methadone

A Comparison of the Long-Term Effects of Opium Tincture and Methadone Syrup on Testicular and Prostate Histology in Male Rats.

Shabani Asma A, Sanjari Ali A, Namaei Mohammad Hasan MH, Hassanzadeh-Taheri Mohammad Mehdi MM et al.

A common way to treat opioid dependence is the consumption of opioids, particularly opium and methadone. However, there is little information about its long-term effects on male reproductive health. In this study, rats› male reproductive system›s hormonal and histological parameters were examined in relation to the long-term oral effects of methadone syrup and opium tincture. 42 male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six equal groups and administered orally with methadone (dose escalation to 50 mg/kg) or opium tincture (dose escalation to 200 mg/kg) for 4 or 8 weeks. At the conclusion of treatment, serum testosterone, the relative weights of the prostate and testes, Johnson's score, and histomorphometric indices such as seminiferous tubule area, germinal epithelium area, and prostatic epithelial height were measured. Chronic opium tincture treatment significantly decreased serum testosterone, relative testicular and prostatic weights, and testicular histological indicators (P<0.05). Methadone also damaged certain histology measurements but had a lower impact on testosterone. Prostatic epithelial height increased significantly in the 8-week methadone group, whereas all opium groups exhibited notable decreases (P<0.05). Prolonged oral opium tincture causes more detrimental effects on male reproductive function than methadone, whereas extended methadone exposure may lead to prostate-specific structural changes. These findings highlight the need for careful selection and administration of opioid substitution treatments to diminish the risks of reproduction in dependent individuals.

A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study on Methadone Poisoning: A Decade of Insights from Kerman, Iran.

Soltani Motahareh M, Ghanbari Mohammad Mahdi MM, Karami-Mohajeri Somayyeh S, Oghabian Zohreh Z et al.

Methadone poisoning, involving both syrup and tablet formulations, represents a significant public health concern, particularly in regions where methadone is widely utilized for opioid substitution therapy. Methadone accounted for approximately 16% of pediatric acute poisonings and was the leading cause of drug-related deaths in 2023. This study provides a decade-long retrospective analysis of methadone poisoning cases in Kerman, Iran, with a focus on demographic patterns, clinical outcomes, and risk factors to guide prevention and treatment strategies. This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of 5,826 methadone poisoning cases, primarily acute but including some chronic cases, admitted to Afzalipour Hospital between 2013 and 2023. Data on demographics, clinical presentations, comorbidities, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with statistical significance set at P<0.05. The majority of patients were male (63.5%), with the highest prevalence among individuals aged 19-40 years (45.3%). Notably, 17.7% of cases involved children under six years old, primarily due to accidental ingestion linked to unsafe storage practices. Intentional poisoning accounted for 80.2% of cases, underscoring the role of mental health and socio-economic factors. Co-intoxication with benzodiazepines (9.8%) and alcohol (4.9%) exacerbated toxicity, while 8.8% of cases coincided with COVID-19 infection, compounding respiratory complications. The mortality rate was low at 1.9% (95% CI: 1.6-2.2%), with 63.8% of cases achieving full recovery; and notably, 17.7% of cases involved were children aged under six years old. The findings, including high co-intoxication risks with benzodiazepines (9.8%) and alcohol (4.9%), highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, including stricter regulation of methadone distribution, childproof packaging, and public education campaigns to reduce accidental pediatric poisonings. Integrated mental health services are critical to addressing intentional poisoning cases (80.2%), while healthcare providers should remain vigilant about polysubstance use. These strategies can significantly reduce methadone-related morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and young adults.

Patients with Serious Illness and Opioid Use Disorder on Methadone #541.

Nerness Reed R, Kmiec Julie J, Childers Julie J

Cognitive Impairments in Substance Use Patients Treated with Methadone.

Abdollahi Elahe E, Iravani Behnam B, Novin Mohammad Hassan MH, Amini Khodashahri Fatemeh F et al.

Substance abuse remains a critical global challenge with social, economic, and health impacts. Cognitive impairments are recognized as significant risk factors for relapse and poor treatment outcomes in individuals undergoing substance abuse treatment. This study investigated the prevalence of cognitive impairments and associated factors among patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 370 patients receiving MMT at substance abuse treatment centers in Rasht in 2022. Participants were selected through a two-stage cluster sampling method after obtaining informed consent. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Statistical analyses, including standard deviation, Spearman's correlation, and the Kruskal-Wallis test, were conducted using SPSS version 21 (P=0.0001). Cognitive impairments were observed in 11.1% of participants, with an average age of 49.58±14.40 years. Male participants scored significantly higher on the verbal fluency (P=0.004) and delayed recall (P=0.030) subscales. Employed or retired patients demonstrated better cognitive performance compared to their unemployed counterparts (P=0.0001). Cognitive scores were inversely correlated with age (P=0.0001) and positively correlated with education level (P=0.0001). Longer primary substance use duration, higher methadone doses, and longer treatment durations were inversely associated with cognitive performance (P=0.0001). Stress, depression, and anxiety scores were inversely correlated with MoCA scores (P=0.0001). Cognitive impairments were identified in 11.1% of participants. Longer durations of primary substance use, higher methadone maintenance doses, and extended treatment durations were significantly associated with poorer cognitive performance.