American Pain Society's 27th Annual Scientific Meeting (May 8 – 10, 2008): Methadone: Science, Clinical Use, and Public Policy

Methadone use for the treatment of pain is increasingly common. This phenomenon is due, in part, to improved understanding of opioid pharmacology, as well as to pressure by healthcare payers to decrease the cost of long-acting opioids. In this symposium, we will examine several facets of methadone use. Specifically, we will address the recent additions to the understanding of opioid pharmacology, considerations related to drug interactions and equianalgesic conversion between methadone and other opioid analgesics. We will also discuss public policy pertaining to methadone use, including the potential for unintended consequences of policies that emphasize the use of methadone over other long-acting opioid analgesics. Gavril Pasternak, MD, PhD, will discuss the molecular biology of opioids. Douglas Weschules, PharmD, will discuss the clinical use of methadone, including important drug interactions. Thomas K. Hazlet, PharmD, DrPH will discuss public policy related to methadone and consequences of those policies.