Investigating the relationship between the severity of oxidative stress with the severity of toxicity and clinical response in methadone-poisoned subjects.

Background: Methadone is frequently used in opioid substitution therapies, and poisoning incidents related to its use remain a public health concern, especially in regions with high opioid dependency. In Iran, especially in the city of Kerman, there is substantial evidence regarding intentional and unintentional methadone poisoning. This raises the need for more research on the complications and treatment of methadone poisoning.

Objective: Oxidative stress is involved in methadone poisoning, but so far very few studies have been done specifically in this field. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, toxicity severity, and therapeutic responses.

Methods: In this study, 51 patients who were poisoned with methadone and visited the Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman participated. Oxidative stress parameters, including lipid peroxidation rate, plasma antioxidant capacity, glutathione, protein carbonyl, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, were investigated in the mentioned population, and the results were compared with those of healthy -individuals.

Results: Oxidative stress was significantly higher in methadone-poisoned subjects than in the control group.

Discussion and conclusion: The use of methadone induces oxidative stress, which is correlated with the blood level of methadone.

Implications: The results of this study show that reducing the oxidative stress resulting from methadone poisoning improves the treatment of methadone poisoning. In addition, monitoring the signs of oxidative stress can be an effective tool for predicting the level of toxicity and making treatment decisions. Further research in this field can suggest new therapeutic approaches considering the reduction of oxidative stress in cases of methadone poisoning. Finally, this study emphasizes that oxidative stress is an important factor in methadone poisoning and should not be overlooked by experts.