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
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MAP posted-by: Beth