Methadone used for chronic pain

MONTREAL, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- A Canadian study shows how a pain center's case-management program allows out-patients to use methadone for relief from chronic pain.

The study, published in Pain Management Nursing, found 57 percent of the 75 patients involved were satisfied with the program.

Methadone, well known as a treatment for heroin addiction, is also used in hospitals for pain management. Since the body metabolizes methadone slowly, intense monitoring is required to avoid toxicity.

"We needed a way to monitor patients effectively after they go home with their prescriptions," explained Louise Lamb, a clinician nurse at the Pain Center of the Montreal University Health Center.

The program begins with an education session with patients and their families receiving information and a diary in which to note pain intensity and its impact on mood and activities.

Thereafter, regular telephone communication -- via 194 calls -- allowed nurses, in consultation with a doctor when required, to adjust dosage. Forty-four percent of the calls needed an increase and 11 percent needed a decrease or cessation of the drug.