When Methadone Fails in Cancer Pain Management: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

Methadone is increasingly used. It is expected that some patients will lose the analgesic response or develop adverse effects. Opioid switching (OS) from methadone to other opioids has not been well described

Methods

The charts of patients with cancer pain receiving methadone, both intravenously and orally were reviewed for a period of two years (2023–2024). Patients who were switched from methadone, prescribed prior to or during admission to APCU were collected and analyzed. Epidemiological data were recorded. Opioid drugs, doses and route of administration prior to admission, at admission and at discharge were recorded.

Results

In the period taken into consideration ten patients were switched from methadone to other opioids. The final treatment included morphine and transdermal buprenorphine, in four and four patients, respectively, intravenous fentanyl in one patient, and spinal analgesia in one patient. Significant improvements were reported at time of discharge for most symptoms, with a decrease of total burden (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

OS from methadone was effective in most cases, but the treatment was challenging as higher doses of opioids are expected, due to the loss of the extra-opioid analgesic effects of methadone.