Comparing the Efficacy of Methadone and Tincture of Opium in Controlling Agitation Caused by Withdrawal Syndrome in Opium-Addicted Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Trial Study

Background: Few studies have been conducted regarding the comparison of the efficacy of methadone andtincture of opium (TOP) in controlling agitation induced by withdrawal syndrome. Therefore, the currentrandomized trial study is carried out with the aim to evaluate comparisons on the efficacy of methadone andTOP in controlling agitation caused by withdrawal syndrome in opium addicted patients in the intensive careunits (ICUs).Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on ۶۰ patients admitted to ICU of Shahid Bahonar Hospital,Kerman, Iran. After classification of the patients into two groups, the first and second groups consumedmethadone syrup (۵ mg/ml) and TOP (۱۰ mg/ml), respectively. Agitation in these patients was assessedthrough the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS). Vital signs were also assessed. Paired sample t-testand independent t-test were used for data analysis.Findings: In the current study, the administered dose of methadone and TOP was ۳۶.۱۷ ± ۲۶.۹۹ and۱۱۲.۶۷ ± ۱۰۲.۷۴ mg, respectively (P < ۰.۰۱۰). Methadone administration led to a significant decrease of thepatients’ vital signs, including systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) (P < ۰.۰۵). Though TOP administration decreased systolic blood pressure and GCS significantly(P < ۰.۰۵), it had no effect on patients’ diastolic blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, andrespiratory rate (P > ۰.۰۵). In total, no significant difference was detected between two groups regardingvital signs (P > ۰.۰۵). However, a significant difference was seen between methadone and TOP groups interms of RASS score (P < ۰.۰۱). Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, lower dose of methadone, compared to TOP, couldcontrol agitation caused by opium withdrawal symptoms.

Keywords:

Methadone , Opium dependence , Intensive care units