Some guidelines are finally out, issued by the American College of Physicians. Medscape provides a summary here. Among the recommendations:Recommendation 1 (Disclosure): When clinicians prescribe methadone, they should inform patients about arrhythmia risk.
Recommendation 2 (Clinical History): Clinicians should ask patients about any history of structural heart disease, arrhythmia, or syncope.
Recommendation 3 (Screening): All patients should have a pretreatment electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure QTc interval and a follow-up ECG within 30 days and each year.
I wonder how many people are actually doing this. I started harping about it way back here.
1 comment:
I've been Rx'd Methadone 10mg pills. 80mgs per day for a few years from Univ of Penn Ctr for Anestisia & Pain Mgmt. Never once did they bring up possible heart trouble or to go get an EKG. Two months back I moved & switched Pain Mgmt Doctors. My new Dr. alerted me to your study & ordered an EKG. I am a research oriented person & have concluded that Methadone is by far the best Rx for me & the mgmt of my pain however your internet post & my most recent Dr's orders have me concerned. Thank you for bringing this to light. Joe 36 year old male. On Methadone for Pain for about 3 years.
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