Pubdate: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU) Copyright: 2001 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274 Author: David Knecht Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2041/a09.html?2105 METHADONE CAN HELP ALLEVIATE PAIN The article detailing the plight of Vincenzo Pizzi was quite interesting (Gazette, Dec. 8, "Marijuana as medicine"). However, there was one very important point left out: the benefits of using methadone to treat chronic neuropathic pain, as well as non-cancer and cancer pain. Recent articles have shown great promise in treating patients with very low doses of methadone for neuropathic pain. Although methadone has been around for more than 50 years, its primary usage has been for dependence withdrawal. It is only in the last few years that methadone has caught the eyes of many palliative-care physicians as well as pain-clinic specialists. What should interest the government and Health Minister Allan Rock is that methadone sells for a fraction of the cost of morphine and other strong opioids. Where the government required Mr. Pizzi to try anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant and anti-depressant drugs, it should have had him try methadone, prescribed by a specially licensed physician. I feel sad for Mr. Pizzi and others who are suffering needlessly at home and in hospitals and haven't been given the option to try methadone. Physicians, pharmacists and, of course, patients need to be educated on its benefits. David Knecht Montreal - --- MAP posted-by: Beth