Methadone drug class

GFJ has been shown to increase the exposure of carbamazepine (175), cisapride (176-179), fluvoxamine (184), losartan (188), methadone (189), scopolamine (191), and sertraline (192). However, only the interaction of GFJ with carbamazepine and cisapride seems to be clinically relevant. No alteration in exposure was observed for clozapine (180,181), heophylline (195), halo-peridol (196), and omeprazole (190). Reports of increased pharmacokinetic parameters of clozapine, theophylline, and haloperidol suggest that an interaction is unlikely to be clinically relevant. Contradicting results were reported for itraconazole (185-187), digoxin (75,183), and sildenafil (193,194). An increased effect on concomitant use of diclofenac and GFJ was observed in rats (182). Overall, the clinical relevance for this drug class appears to be low. 

Dan Duchaine was a very resourceful individual and, though an ass at times, supplied an answer to an urgent request for help to those he cared for. In this case, a client who suffered two prior attempts at kicking Nubain, and was ready for another try out of necessity. Dan s answer was a drug called Ultram, which is in the same drug class as Nubain but more like the clinical answer to heroin is Methadone. The client had a bit of an attitude but suffered no diarrhea... 

The term opioid refers to any exogenous substance that acts as an agonist at any of several receptors. Opioid antagonists are drugs that bind to a receptor but produce no actions. The poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, from which opium is obtained, is grown in many areas of the world. Morphine constitutes 10% of opium, and codeine can be obtained direcdy from opium. Semisynthetic opioids such as heroin and oxycodone are obtained directly or indirectly from morphine. There are other distinct chemical classes of drugs with opioid actions, including the methadones. 

True narcotic allergies are rare and should not be confused with pruritus associated with opiate use. Cross-sensitivity between morphine-like, meperidine-like, and methadone-like agents is unlikely. Therefore, when an individual is allergic to one drug in a chemical class of opioids, it is reasonable to select... 

With the exceptions of methadone maintenance, LAAM maintenance, and nicotine substitution therapy (and probably naltrexone for alcohol addiction and bupropion for nicotine addiction), no clearly effective pharmacotherapy for drug addiction exists. Certainly, no broadly effective pharmacotherapy exists (effective for addictions to drugs of different chemical classes and pharmacological categories). Therapeutic strategies based on psychotherapy, group therapy, behavior modification, economic incentives, and aversion deconditioning have proven limited. 

Propoxyphene (Schedule II) is another opiate prescribed for pain which is much weaker than those mentioned above. Notice the structural similarities to methadone. Its effects last longer than many other drugs in this class which means it can be taken less frequently and the potential of abuse will be lessened. It can also be formulated with aspirin or acetaminophen in order to have a summation effect. 

Members of the group of natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic alkaloid compounds prepared from opium are referred to as opioids. This group includes natural compounds usually denoted opiates, such as morphine and codeine, and the synthetic and semi synthetic compounds such as oxycodone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, methadone, and tramadol. The pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic parameters of these drugs share many common characteristics and are illustrated with the prototypic drug in this class, morphine. 

Cross-tolerance occurs between all opiates that act primarily via the mu receptors. This is the basis of the methadone substitution therapy which is commonly used to withdraw people who are dependent on heroin or morphine methadone is used because of its relatively long half-life (about 12 hours) and its ease of administration in an oral form. Cross-tolerance does not occur between the opiates and other classes of dependence-producing drugs such as the barbiturates, alcohol or the amphetamines, which act through different mechanisms. 

The opioid drugs are responsible for more reported cases of renal damage than any other class of abused drug. While opioids include morphine, codeine, methadone, meperidine, and other agents, most cases of renal damage are related to heroin abuse. Heroin is derived from the acetylation of morphine at two-sites and is rapidly absorbed from all mucous membranes and the lungs. 

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