Results 1 to 7 of 7

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    1

    Default Re: Methadone - Death and Hospitalization - Do we have a case?

    Our government calls Methadone the "gold standard" in treatment.

    there are between 800,000 & 900,000 (some stats give diff numbers) heroin addicts in the U.S and 1,881 people died from heroin in the U.S. in 2004.

    there are 200,000 people on methadone for drug treatment and I don't have the number of people on it for pain but even if we double the 200,000 and assume it's 400,000 total people on methadone there were 3,849 deaths in 2004

    It looks like the "gold standard" if killing more then the drug its supposed to save people from!!!!

    Every day 10.9 people die from Methadone (according to 2004 stats)

    Methadone is the #2 Killer Drug in the U.S.

    We are the families of victims and those yet to be victims of methadone. www.HARMD.org I have come together with many other families throughout the United States who have lost loved ones to methadone.
    We are asking government agencies to enact stricter guidelines in prescribing methadone for any reason. It must be mandatory that all doctors be certified and trained in the pharmacology of methadone; inpatient stays must be required during induction to methadone; all staff be extensively trained in monitoring methadone patients for symptoms of toxicity. Clinic patients should be tested for legal and illegal drugs that are taken with methadone to get “ hi gh” or experience “euphoria” such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana etc… and face severe consequences / mandatory detoxification from methadone program. When presenting inebriated at clinic, clinic should also document such activity as well as prevent client from driving. Take home doses for all patients receiving methadone should be eliminated thus preventing the risk of diversion or precautions such as pill safe should be implemented. http://www.thepillsafe.com/

    Current statistics show that nearly 4000 people a year die from methadone. These deaths are mostly happening to pain management and detoxification patients wit hi n the first 10 days of taking initial dose. Most of these deaths are related to methadone prescribed with other medications that react as additives with the methadone. Diversion of methadone is a serious problem because it lands t hi s most deadly drug on streets. Statistics also state that methadone is contributing to more deaths nationwide then heroine and only second to cocaine deaths.

    The government did take notice after the 2003 record number of deaths associated with methadone and the Bush administration responded by gathering the top experts on drug overdoses, doctors, researchers, and medical examiners, as well as representatives from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association. Finn and Tuckwiller (2006) report that “the man hi red to research and write the report based on the conference, as well as background paper for conference participants, was Stewart B. Leavitt, and addiction specialist whose work is funded by the makers of methadone”. Stewart B. Leavitt PhD served as researcher/writer for A National Assessment of Methadone-Associated Mortality: Background Briefing Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Stewart B Leavitt also writes Addiction Treatment Forum Methadone Dosing & Safety in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction w hi ch is funded by Mallinckrodt, Inc. a manufacturer of methadone. My question is why hasn't a team of independent researchers not funded by pharmaceutical companies; a person or group of people that stand to gain no financial benefit on the outcome of the studies been hi red to conduct the research? Finn and Tuckwiller (2006) report that “the man hi red to research and write the report based on the conference, as well as background paper for conference participants, was Stewart B. Leavitt, and addiction specialist whose work is funded by the makers of methadone”. Stewart B. Leavitt PhD served as researcher/writer for A National Assessment of Methadone-Associated Mortality: Background Briefing Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Stewart B Leavitt also writes Addiction Treatment Forum Methadone Dosing & Safety in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction w hi ch is funded by Mallinckrodt, Inc. a manufacturer of methadone. On the forum associated with hi s website several of the clinic participants speak of diverting, misusing, stockpiling, selling, and potentiating methadone and other prescription drugs.

    T hi s methadone epidemic and deaths associated with it are not going away. It's only getting worse; I get contacted by families on a daily basis who have lost someone to t hi s drug. At what point do we value human life over the convenience of others? Methadone patients, whether they are pain or clinic pose a risk to themselves and society as a whole if they are not monitored, dosed, and assessed correctly. Clinic patients getting into cars after being dosed who are using benzodiazepines, alcohol, marijuana or other opiates are killing innocent people on the road. T hi s type of harm reduction is not saving lives it’s taking them. The government cannot continue to be a legal drug dealer in order for its citizens to “behave”.

    I know the rules are in place for the clinics but they are NOT being followed. Patients sell take homes outside the clinics. In one news article a man died in the parking lot of a clinic after taking hi s brothers take home. T hi s drug is too dangerous to be allowed in medicine cabinets! There is A LOT of money to be made from methadone but what expense is that money being made at? When do the risks outweigh the benefits of t hi s drug? How many more people must die before changes are made that actually save lives?
    I have called several methadone clinics and have found out that many do not test for marijuana and are not open 7 days a week. These two t hi ngs are of special concern to my organization because all methadone patients will receive a take home bottle of methadone on Saturday for Sunday (the day they are closed) whether they are new to the program or have been abusing other drugs. Marijuana and methadone have an effect on the user very similar to heroin. Many clinics do not test for marijuana because it is not believed to be a drug of choice or a "hard drug", I beg to differ because of the effect when combining the two have the potential to be more dangerous then the user/staff is aware. T hi s poses a serious public health risk to those on the road innocently driving to work or school.

    The potential of abuse, diversion, and overdose to new patients being prescribed methadone is overwhelming. The unique properties of methadone, it's long half life, and it's negative interaction with numerous drugs make it an optimal choice as a last result treatment for chronic pain and addiction.

    Thank you for taking the time to read t hi s letter.

    Sincerely

    Melissa Zuppardi
    www.HARMD.org



    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/472711451
    www.renato-capozzo.memory-of.com
    www.HARMD.org

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Methadone - Death and Hospitalization - Do we have a case?

    Methadone is used with many thousands of patients, most of whom do not have a problem. I have not seen any evidence that it is medically necessary or appropriate to have somebody go inpatient to have their initial methadone dose set, and I doubt that many (if any) of the deaths you reference relate to an inappropriate initial dosage.

    The biggest problem with methadone is that it is too easy to abuse. Some patients lie to get a greater dose than they need, or trade it for other drugs. Some use benzodiazepines or other drugs or alcohol to boost the effect. Some continue to abuse opiates while taking Methadone. The vast majority of injuries and deaths will relate not to methadone itself, but to patient non-compliance and abuse of methadone and other drugs.

    Requiring daily visits to a Methadone clinic is unnecessary for most long-term patients, disrupts the ability of patients to obtain and maintain employment, and wouldn't stop abuse. Further, for a recovering addict, the Methadone clinic itself can become a risk to recovery, as I doubt that there is a Methadone clinic in the world where some of the patients aren't also drug dealers, or where some don't happily share with others information on how to smuggle methadone out (even in liquid form), or get high while on methadone.

    As you note, Methadone can be the drug of choice for treating certain chronic pain conditions. Within that context, although the physician must generally apply for periodic waivers, the Methadone is typically prescribed in an office setting and not through a Methadone clinic.

    Although it has a set of problems of its own, and is much more costly, many addicts will be much better served through maintenance on buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, etc.). Suboxone is buprenorphine combined with Naloxone, so it is difficult to abuse. Due to the lower risk of abuse, it can be prescribed out of a regular medical office instead of a Methadone clinic.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Methadone Maintenance As Unsafe

    methadone is unsafe. i lost my friend to it and he was a medical professional who just had back pain. i think everyone needs to be very aware of this drug because he took it like he was supposed to and died anyway. the family is talking to a lawyer in north carolina about it who specialaizes in methadone deaths.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Methadone Maintenance As Unsafe

    methadone is unsafe. i recently lost a good friend to methadone and he was a medical professional using it as prescribed by a doctor. his family has hired a lawyer in north carolina. i think we need to educate people about this drug because it kills people without warning and kills people who use it exactly as prescribed.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,094

    Default Re: Methadone Maintenance As Unsafe

    It appears the FDA agrees not taking this drug as prescribed can cause life threatening side effects and death :
    http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/methadone.htm

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Methadone Maintenance As Unsafe

    That advisory addresses methadone for pain management, and illustrates why the FDA imposes such significant restrictions on its use for pain management.

    "Methadone maintenance" refers to the use of methadone in substitution therapy for opiate and opioid addiction. I suspect that Laura May's post is about pain management, not addiction management.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,094

    Default Re: Methadone Maintenance As Unsafe

    I agree. I think she is refering to pain management. The FDA Advisory is about Methadone for pain management.

    It states that respiratory and cardio vascular effects can occur in newly prescribed as well as those patients who became opioid tolerant.

    I read your response and I agree that many persons who are receiving methadone in clinics are receiving it for an addiction. It is abused for all the reasons you mentioned. And withdrawal from it is reported to be more dangerous that w/drawal from heroin. I think it was meant to be a method of withdrawal used by treatment centers under close supervision.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Medical Malpractice: Problems at a Privately Owned Methadone Clinic
    By keemo7 in forum Malpractice Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-26-2010, 04:46 PM
  2. Traffic Lane Violations: Accident With Unsafe Passing and Unsafe Speed Violation in California
    By SBJK in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-25-2009, 11:20 AM
  3. Traffic Lane Violations: Unsafe Lane Change, Unsafe Turn. Multiple Charges One Ticket
    By triplesec in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-08-2009, 05:34 PM
  4. Medical Malpractice: Methadone Lawsuits
    By Laura May in forum Malpractice Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-23-2007, 09:11 PM
  5. cvc22350 unsafe speed and cvc22107 unsafe turn
    By charlene0405 in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-08-2005, 03:40 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources