Affiliation:
1. Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, Perlis, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Malaysia
2. Department of Psychiatry
and Mental, Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, Jalan Kolam, Kangar, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Abstract
Background:
Per oral methadone maintenance therapy [MMT] was introduced as part
of harm reduction strategy to manage rising numbers of HIV infections caused by intravenous use
of illicit drugs.
Method:
We aim to review published articles related to the side effects of long-term methadone
therapy, focusing on hematological derangements in human studies published between 1 January
2000 till 31 January 2021.
Results:
Our search databases include Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline. Our search yielded
971 articles, of which 55 articles were related to the effects of MMT on various organ systems:
cardiovascular [n=12], respiratory [n=1], endocrine [n=10], central nervous system [n=12], neurobehavioral
[n=10], gastrointestinal [n=1], and bone [n=1]. There were eight articles specifically related
to the hematological side effects of chronic methadone therapy that include [i] immune system
hyperactivation, [ii] reduced circulating lymphocytes, and [iii] increased blood viscosity.
Conclusion:
In view of all foreseeable health risks seen with prolonged methadone therapy, pharmacological
modulation is warranted to find a better substitute for managing patients with opioid
dependence.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Pharmacology,Toxicology
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