Methadone in chronic non-malignant pain: a retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information concerning the treatment of patients with chronic non-malignant pain using daily, time contingent methadone. Medical records of 59 patients seen in a university-based pain clinic over an eight-year period were reviewed. Females outnumbered males by a ratio of 1.4:1. Age varied widely, but consisted mostly of patients in their fourth or fifth decade. Diagnoses included those commonly encountered in a university-based pain clinic. The majority of patients took 20 mg per day in three or four divided doses, More than half the patients had no side-effects. However, 24 per cent of the patients could not tolerate methadone. Treatment with methadone averaged more than one year once it was established. The most frequently prescribed concurrent medication was an antidepressant, depression being the most common co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. We conclude that methadone is a useful and safe medication for the daily management of a variety of chronic, non-malignant pain syndromes.