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Methadone-Related Deaths Raise Questions on Need for Training in Prescribing Narcotics
Methadone is the fastest growing cause of narcotic-related deaths in the U.S., the result of a sharp increase in use complicated by physician prescribing errors, according to the New York Times.
The number of methadone prescriptions increased 700% from 1998 to 2006, in part because of its use as an alternative to oxycodone (OxyContin). The Times says physicians treating patients for pain sometimes start them on doses that are too high or fail to warn of the hazards of mixing with alcohol or sedatives.
While the problem was initially blamed on drug abuse, "we know that a significant share of the methadone deaths involve doctors making well-intended prescriptions," Dr. H. Westley Clark, of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, told the Times. Since April, his group has sponsored nine voluntary training courses on safe opioid prescribing, and more are planned.
LINK(S):
New York Times story (One-time registration required)
Information on SAMHSA courses on safe opioid prescribing (Free)
Physician's First Watch coverage of 2006 methadone advisory (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch August 18, 2008
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