Prolonged QT interval and methadone: Implications for palliative care

Abstract

The safe use of methadone requires clinicians to be familiar with its pharmacology and to closely monitor patients to avoid an unintentional overdose. As a minimum, clinicians should be aware of the advice regarding prolonged QT in the Summary of Product Characteristics for methadone and the general advice regarding ECG monitoring. These can be given due consideration when balancing the benefits versus the risks of the use of methadone, taking the circumstances of the patient fully into account. Clinicians should also be aware of the potential significance of palpitation, syncope or seizure-like activity in a patient taking methadone. © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.