Methadone overdose in patients following methadone maintenance treatment:A three years overview in the district of Bari (South-Italy).

Background. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is recognized as a reference treatment for opioid dependence. According to Italian Law, at the beginning of the treatment patients must receive medication under the supervision of a physician, to avoid overdose. After a period of stability, patients could be allowed to take methadone at home in pre-arranged and personalized concentrations, in order to empower their self-responsibility. The aim of the present investigation is to underline the presence of a “glitch in the system” of the MMT. Methods. In the last three years, 7 forensic autopsies and toxicological analysis on corpses of regular opioid users were performed into the Institute of Legal Medicine of Bari. Results. In all these cases very high methadone concentration in blood were found. All the 7 subjects were following a MMT in a Public Health Institute and the cause of death was respiratory depression by overdose of methadone in 6 cases. Conclusion. Therefor an improvement of the MMT’s guideline is needed to reduce methadone overdose deaths in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]