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Methadone vs. morphine SR for treatment of neuropathic pain: A randomized controlled trial and the challenges in recruitment.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Accumulating evidence has identified a number of advantages for methadone over other opioids for the treatment of chronic pain including: agonist action at both μ and δ opioid receptors, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist activity and the ability to inhibit the reuptake of monoamines. It was hypothesized that with these three mechanisms of action methadone might be a good option for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing methadone to controlled-release morphine. The primary objective was to determine whether methadone is clinically inferior versus noninferior to morphine as an analgesic. Results: We attempted recruitment at three academic pain centers over a 3-year period. In the end only 14 participants were able to be recruited; 5 withdrew and only 9 completed the trial. This study was underpowered. All participants showed a mean reduction in pain intensity according to the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain Intensity (morphine 5.86 to 4.38, methadone 6.11 to 4.5) and reported pain relief compared to pretreatment, but the sample size was too small for statistical analysis. Discussion: Reasons for challenges in recruitment included tight inclusion and exclusion criteria and high participant burden. In addition, there was significant heterogeneity of patients between the three sites, leading to differences in reasons for exclusion. This included seemingly disparate reasons at the different sites, including few participants who were methadone naïve vs. avoidance or fear of opioids. In the end, we were unable to answer the question of the study.

SUBMITTER: Lynch M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8730636 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Importance:Although opioids are used to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), the best pharmacologic treatment has not been established. Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of methadone and morphine in NAS. Design, Setting, and Participants:In this randomized, double-blind, intention-to-treat trial, term infants from 8 US newborn units whose mothers received buprenorphine, methadone, or opioids for pain control during pregnancy were eligible. A total of 117 infants were randomized to receive methadone or morphine from February 9, 2014, to March 6, 2017. Mothers who declined randomization could consent to data collection and standard institutional treatment. Interventions:Infants were assessed with the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System every 4 hours and treated with methadone or placebo every 4 hours or morphine every 4 hours. Infants with persistently elevated Finnegan scores received dose increases. Infants who exceeded a predetermined opioid dose received phenobarbital. Dose reductions occurred every 12 to 48 hours when signs of NAS were controlled with therapy, stopping at 20% of the original dose. Main Outcomes and Measures:The primary end point was length of hospital stay (LOS). The secondary end points were LOS attributable to NAS and length of drug treatment (LOT). Results:A total of 183 mothers consented to have their infants in the study; 117 infants required treatment. Because 1 parent withdrew consent, data were analyzed on 116 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 39.1 [1.1] weeks; mean [SD] birth weight, 3157 [486] g; 58 [50%] male). Demographic variables and risk factors were similar except for more prenatal cigarette exposure in infants who received methadone. Adjusting for study site and maternal opioid type, methadone was associated with decreased mean number of days for LOS by 14% (relative number of days, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.00; P?=?.046), corresponding to a difference of 2.9 days; 14% reduction in LOS attributable to NAS (relative number of days, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.96; P?=?.01), corresponding to a difference of 2.7 days; and 16% reduction in LOT (relative number of days, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.97; P?=?.02), corresponding to a difference of 2.3 days. Methadone was also associated with reduced median LOS (16 vs 20 days, P?=?.005), LOS attributable to NAS (16 vs 19 days, P?=?.005), and LOT (11.5 vs 15 days, P?=?.009). Study infants had better short-term outcomes than 170 nonrandomized infants treated with morphine per standard institutional protocols. Conclusions and Relevance:With use of weight- and sign-based treatment for NAS, short-term outcomes were better in infants receiving methadone compared with morphine. Assessment of longer-term outcomes is ongoing. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01958476.

Project description:BackgroundChronic neuropathic pain affects 1%-2% of the adult population and is often refractory to standard pharmacologic treatment. Patients with chronic pain have reported using smoked cannabis to relieve pain, improve sleep and improve mood.MethodsAdults with post-traumatic or postsurgical neuropathic pain were randomly assigned to receive cannabis at four potencies (0%, 2.5%, 6% and 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol) over four 14-day periods in a crossover trial. Participants inhaled a single 25-mg dose through a pipe three times daily for the first five days in each cycle, followed by a nine-day washout period. Daily average pain intensity was measured using an 11-point numeric rating scale. We recorded effects on mood, sleep and quality of life, as well as adverse events.ResultsWe recruited 23 participants (mean age 45.4 [standard deviation 12.3] years, 12 women [52%]), of whom 21 completed the trial. The average daily pain intensity, measured on the 11-point numeric rating scale, was lower on the prespecified primary contrast of 9.4% v. 0% tetrahydrocannabinol (5.4 v. 6.1, respectively; difference = 0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-1.4). Preparations with intermediate potency yielded intermediate but nonsignificant degrees of relief. Participants receiving 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol reported improved ability to fall asleep (easier, p = 0.001; faster, p < 0.001; more drowsy, p = 0.003) and improved quality of sleep (less wakefulness, p = 0.01) relative to 0% tetrahydrocannabinol. We found no differences in mood or quality of life. The most common drug-related adverse events during the period when participants received 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol were headache, dry eyes, burning sensation in areas of neuropathic pain, dizziness, numbness and cough.ConclusionA single inhalation of 25 mg of 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol herbal cannabis three times daily for five days reduced the intensity of pain, improved sleep and was well tolerated. Further long-term safety and efficacy studies are indicated. (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Register no. ISRCTN68314063).

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Methadone vs. morphine SR for treatment of neuropathic pain: A randomized controlled trial and the challenges in recruitment.

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