Fluoxetine addition to methadone in addicts: pharmacokinetic aspects

Ther Drug Monit. 1996 Oct;18(5):570-2. doi: 10.1097/00007691-199610000-00008.

Abstract

We report nine cases where fluoxetine (FX) (20 mg/day) was added to maintenance treatment with methadone (MTD) (dose range: 30-100 mg) in addicts with affective disorders. MTD plasma levels were measured before and after treatment with FX under steady-state conditions. Among the nine patients, two also received fluvoxamine (FLVX) at different times. Although it is possible that in some patients a moderate FX-MTD interaction occurs, resulting in increased plasma levels of MTD, this interaction is certainly less marked than that between FLVX and MTD and unlikely to have clinical consequences.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacokinetics*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / pharmacokinetics*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / administration & dosage
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Fluvoxamine / administration & dosage
  • Fluvoxamine / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methadone / administration & dosage
  • Methadone / pharmacokinetics*
  • Mood Disorders / blood*
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Substance-Related Disorders / blood*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Methadone