Methadone to blame for one-third of U.S. prescription painkiller deaths, CDC says

Pills and a Pill Bottle.

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(CBS News) Methadone accounts for only 2 percent of painkiller prescriptions in the United States - but the drug is behind more than 30 percent of prescription painkiller overdose deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday.

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Methadone is commonly known for treating withdrawal symptoms from heroin addiction, but the drug is also prescribed for pain. Health officials say most of the overdose deaths are people who take it for pain - not heroin or drug addicts.

According to the CDC, methadone carries more risks than other painkillers because levels build up in the body and may interfere with a person's normal heart rhythm or breathing.

For the CDC's latest Vital Signs report, researchers analyzed rates of fatal methadone overdoses and sales from 1999 to 2010, and compared with 2009 data for other major opioid overdose rates from 13 states.

The report showed that deaths from the drug have been on the rise for years as more prescriptions have been filed. The CDC says six times as many people died of methadone overdoses in 2009 compared to death rates from 1999. The new report also finds four of every 10 overdose deaths from a single prescription painkiller involve methadone, twice as many as any other prescription.

"Deaths from opioid overdose have increased four-fold in the past decade, and methadone now accounts for nearly a third of opioid-associated deaths," CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, said in a written statement. "There are many safer alternatives to methadone for chronic non-cancer pain."

The rise in deaths even prompted a 2006 warning from the Food and Drug Administration regarding careful prescribing of the drug.

One of the problems is that the majority of methadone prescriptions are written by practitioners who typically aren't trained in pain management, the CDC said. Methadone is sometimes inappropriately prescribed on a long-term basis for common causes of pain such as back pain, but the CDC says the benefits of opioid pain relievers for such uses are unproven.

Fortunately since the rapid rise, the rate of methadone-related overdose deaths appears to have peaked in 2007 at 1.8 deaths per 100,000 people, the report found. Since then, death rates have declined in parallel with the amount of methadone being distributed in the U.S. between 2008 and 2009.

To further curb overdose rates, the CDC says insurance companies should not list methadone as a preferred drug for treating pain. Other measures the agency recommends when prescribing the drug include, screening for substance abuse and other mental health problems, prescribing only the quantity needed based on duration of pain, using patient-doctor agreements along with urine drug tests for patients taking the drug long-term, educating patients on safe use and storage of the drug and providing tips on how to prevent and recognize overdoses.

The CDC has more on methadone use.

[MatROD5]

Its unfortunate that patients that need and successfully have used Methadone for chronic pain relief are now being punished because of those who abuse it. The government has come down so doctors are afraid of litigation and of all the extra paperwork. Plus its much more profitable for them to do procedures that cost thousands of dollars every few months- what if you cant afford that either? - that are also just a way to mask the pain. Its never great to take medication if you dont have to ...but if a patient has no other health problems, clean physical, EKG etc , has been monitored, has had no tolerance because he has been on the same dose and after 10 years, doctors say NO MORE...then theres a problem. No one is going to live in chronic pain...Id rather be dead. You can name a bunch of side effects but if I dont have them, I dont have them. Everyone is different and nothing is 100%. ANyway, Id sign something saying take 5 years of my life away because if Im in pain, my life is going to be over anyway. So I go from being told I need major s urgery, to having had procedures, injections, physical therapy, 6 MRIs, 2 Discograms, TENS unit, chriorpracters, acupuncture, etc...and now told its psychological despite the fact that the pain started after a specific injury. So for all of you trying to stop Methadone deaths, realize you just caused this one...and like everything else...if you dont want to take it, dont...But dont take it away from people who need it. A low dose has been the only thing that made me get out of bed. Now I will be dead

[monika62]

Please read the truth behind the methadone overdoses. If your child or loved one passed away or you are a concerned citizen you need to heart the truth of greed and corruption behind all these deaths: http://stopmethadonedeaths.forumotion.com/t30-the-truth-about-methadone-and-the-reason-for-the-epidemic

[MatROD5]

So where do people who need Methadone to treat their pain go? Is there a website for them? Its people like you who are making it impossible for those chronic pain patients that have been legally and responsibly taking these types of drugs. Because of you, they will now have no quality of life...and their suicide rates will go up.

[knowa2]

I must admit I am ignorant on this although I am a cannabis partaker for over 43 years no on and off. I had a question I once had a conversation with a Doctor who said that a Heroin maintenance program might be safer and less expensive and form of Cocaine would be a great aid for Diabetes and weight loss.

[fasthackem]

Let us get down to the real truth and knock this propaganda s**t out!! CDC and all those anti-opiate eliminators would just love to see all the people who are in desparate need of these vital meds go cold turkey, possibly suffer seizures, and die a painful death, and all in the name of looking good in the public eye. You make me freakin sick!! Let me tell you, I've been on 120 mgs of Methdone for over 6 yrs with no side fx, no life threatening events, I've had only the greatest pain relieving benefits from them because I suffer from fibro-myalgia, failed back surgery syndrome, deg disc disease, osteo-arth. These people that publish this garbage have never taken what they write bulls***t about, let me tell you that most people who die had a pre-existing heart condition to start with or were so stupid as to o.d. right off the bat (like my friend), blame the person not the drug you stupid idiots. That goes for all the parents who cry revolution because their child died from o.d. on methadone because their child was ignorant, obtained the drug illegally, etc, etc. You cannot sit there and tell me that oxycontin is more beneficial overall and more safe than methadone, oh I can tell you first hand it ISN'T!! I was addicted to oxy, it was a nightmare, I could not get off it until a methadone specialist switched me over and now my quality of life is so much better. So you CDC suits and other why don't you stop war-ring against a very beneficial med that helps so many people!!

[MatROD5]

im writing this in 2013...are you still able to get the drug legally? Ive only been on 30mg a day but have been on that since 2003...no doctors in my (Major) city will prescribe it anymore....what drug are you taking now? I was hysterical in the doctors office t his week but all she said is Ill get you off it but you will be in pain and you should go to a psychologist? Really? id rather be dead

[Squeegologist]

Methadone deaths have been increasing in part due to the action of methadone build-up in cardiac tissues, resulting in an interruption to the hearts electrical system. Once a patient stabilizes on Methadone, and the correct dosage is found, the incidence of accidental overdose is almost nil. I would argue that Oxycontin is far more addictive, and therefore patients have a tendency to increase their own dosages, going from small doses in the beginning, to truly amazing tolerances. I knew a guy that went from 20 mg twice per day, to 320 mg per day in a single year. He died from a methadone overdose. He had tried to get high with it, and never having had it before, he dosed himself three times by the the time the first dose hit him. Methadone takes three hours or so to reach peak levels, and it doesn't affect the same receptors. He felt no pleasing rush, like from the oxy, and so took more. He fell asleep, and went into respiratory arrest. He was 39. I miss him, he was a funny, smart, creative guy, who had the misfortune of getting an injury that led to his addiction and death. He wasn't a monster or a criminal, just another pharmaceutical addict.

[MatROD5]

Thats exactly why I was originally moved from Oxycontin to Methadone. But something has happened in the last couple years - between 2010-2013 - where doctors who were prescribing it stopped...and from what i can tell , the majority has to do with the government

[RIP-USA]

We have so many more important thing going on in this country right now is this what we really need to talking about? I find the article lacking in information and any empirical data, specifically the exact number of deaths as opposed to other pharmaceuticals and illicit substances. I'd also be interested to know the cost of our countries war on drugs both from inception and annually, including costs to imprison drug offenders the increased cost placed on the judicial system the costs to build the largest prison system in the world and the cost of parole probation rehabilitation facilities and the lose of tax revenue for labeling these people for the rest of their lives as felons. If someone wants to abuse drugs of any type alcohol tobacco heroin bath salts etc it is their right under the constitution, if they die it was their own free will. I for one believe the trillions of dollars this country has expended would have been used elsewhere. RIPUSA

[PainSufferer]

Articles like this always point out the negative side of pain medications, without ever mentioning the positive effects for people with chronic pain. Almost all medications can have negative effects if taken incorrectly. Each year in the US, 100,000 may die in hospitals due to medication errors. Pfizer refuses to release the total number who die taking Viagra each year. If a person on methadone for pain dies after taking too much by mistake, news outlets report it everywhere. They never run stories about how people in pain for whom methadone makes life worth living.

My pain made daily life a torturous existence. Before starting pain management 10 years ago, I had suffered with virtually no quality of life. I have now been taking the same dosage of methadone for 10 years without having to increase the dosage, even though critics of pain management claim that these medications will not continue their effectiveness long term without constant increases in dosage.

Unlike other narcotic pain medications, Methadone does not produce any euphoria. It is inexpensive. A dose is effective for 12 to 24 hours. I have no problems from long term side effects, while Aspirin and Tylenol have significant long term side effects.

People with substance abuse and addiction problems will find a substance to alter their perception. We know from the 1920's alcohol prohibition and the current "War on Drugs", people who want to abuse substances will find them, no mater how hard the government tries to outlaw them. During the 1920's grape growers in the US legally sold large cake of raisins with warnings on the label that said "Do not add water and yeast, otherwise wine and alcohol will be produced." Why are patients with from intense chronic pain made to suffer because others want to use pain medications for recreation. Viagra kills many people every year, and its usage if always "recreational".

[MatROD5]

I agree, but cant tell when these posts were written. I have been on Methadone for a decade for chronic back pain. Its the only thing that has worked and Ive gone through a lot of treatments, many that doctors said would work or at least wouldnt make things worse- and ALL of them did. Then some doctors wanted to do spinal fusion while others said that would be a huge mistake, and statistics say the outcomes are poor. Even the doctor said there was only a 50% chance of any benefit so why put yourself thru it. WHy spend thousands of dollars to make the doctors rich when a $10-20 medicine can help. You can abuse anything and MEthadone is harder to abuse because of its tight controls. No pain doctor in my town will prescribe it anymore and I fear I will be dead in six months because combine the pain that will come back with any withdrawal symptoms and IM not going to go through with that for the rest of my life. T

[gaspasr]

I'm a Pain Treater. There are few occasions that Methadone would be prescribed. I personally haven't prescribed it this year nor have I refilled any prescriptions this year. Why? Its the only narcotic medication I have seen overdoses (accidental) with. If you ask most responsible treaters the only indication for this product is an Insurance mandate to prescribe it. That is it is as cheap as dirt. SO doctor haters do your homework. Any responsible treater, and you can spend a few minutes to figure this out when your doctor only prescribes narcotics and doesn't offer any one of the many alternative pain treatment modalities, doesn't want the responsibility for narcotic management. If you think a multiple doctor practice like mine that costs 900 dollars per hour to keep open makes money from writing a few triplicates you are insane. OR on methadone. Tonya 1968 provided a great resource and a responsible comment. thanks

[MatROD5]

So what are people that dont respond to anything else supposed to do? No side effects; no tolerance; clean phyiscal including perfect EKG; been on same dose for 10 years and only thing t hat has effectively treated my pain....Methadone costs about $10 a month. An injection procedure is going to cost you thousands - doctors, equpment, procedure room - etc - In a best case scenario, you will be in pain for a week and maybe get relief for a few months...and then have to do it again - thousands of dollars every few months for your life...for the hope or some relief. And its only masking pain - its not even long term. Every individual is different and we're not being treated that way. If someone has a heart problem, then maybe they shouldnt be on opiods. But if t heres no other medication thats effective and no other treatment thats worked, why force someone into suicide because they are in chronic pain when a cheap pill could prevent that....all so a doctor doesnt have to worry about a government review?

[larissa97]

Unfortunately, every time an irresponsible doctor/practitioner allows a death like this to happen, it makes it that much harder for patients who do require pain medication in any form and who are responsible and do follow the rules to receive it. I suffer from migraines and I don't abuse my medication. I follow the rules and yet every single time I get my medication I have to jump through hoops to do so. Not only that, it gets harder and harder to be taken seriously if you have to go to the ER to for a serious migraine. They absolutely will not give any sort of pain medication in the ER anymore unless your neurologist TELLS them to do so. I simply won't go to the ER because I'm tired of being labeled a drug seeking addict. I'm not but if you mention 'migraine' to the the triage nurse in the ER, she already assumes you're a meth addict.

[MatROD5]

I agree with you. As is, youre treated as a criminal whenever you go to a doctor. You cant call this into a pharmacy or refill it but you cant even call to find out if they have it in stock. Doctors will write a prescription to the day and then you go and they dont have it and youre screwed. Even wores, Ive been on it for 10 years now. T he same dose - so no tolerance- ; no negative health effects, i just had a clean physical...but pain doctors are scared to prescribe it. They dont want to do extra paperwork or worry about the DEA and why do a quick medication management appointment when they can inject you with stuff that wont work and get thousands of dollars. I am going to end up dead because of all these people protesting Methadone. Ive had every other thing done and nothing has helped except for methadone. NOw IM told you will just have to suffer. So instead of all these people dying from Methadone. youre going to end up with people dying without it. Why penalize those that are using it legally. Never failed a drug test; never had any sort of high; never have increased a dose in 10 years which means no tolerance...Even if there were negative sideeffects, taht happens with every drug and Id rather die 5 years earlier than be in pain and have no quality of life. And doctors should be responsible , patients should be examined but if someone doesnt have underlying conditions and are being monitored theres no reason not to

[Cyunvwyatt]

This is so false!!! I am dealing with multiple friends having to go to the clinic trying to kick PAIN PILLS!!!!!!! Those little yellow boogers! 10/325 Vikes! Why and how do people get into a Methadone Clinic? Well it is called being ADDICTED TO OPIATES! Heroin in the US eer since we invaded Afghanistan has dropped to cocaine prices and is 5x stronger than it was! The crap is everywhere like pot now. Say thanks to the DEA for the deaths not Methadone!