Effect on QTc interval by switching from methadone to equipotent R-methadone dose in methadone maintenance treatment patients.

Methadone (R,S-methadone) can prolong the QT interval. R-methadone inhibits cardiac potassium channel function less than S-methadone. We tested if switching from methadone to R-methadone would reduce corrected QT (QTc) intervals in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients. Nine patients, with automatically read QTc intervals ≥450 ms, were required to detect a 20 ms (clinically relevant) reduction in QTc intervals with 15 ms standard deviation (SD) and 90% power. Nine stabilized MMT patients, using median (range) 70 (40-120) mg methadone, were included. Data (ECG recordings, serum samples, and withdrawal symptoms) were collected both before drug intake (C min ) and at 3 h after drug intake (C max ), and were collected on the day before the switch from methadone to equipotent R-methadone dose and at 14 and 28 days after the switch. A cardiologist calculated QTc intervals retrospectively. Serum electrolytes and methadone concentrations were measured. Mean QTc intervals at C min were 472 ms and 422 ms on methadone (automatically and manually read) and 414 ms on R-methadone (manually read). Mean (SD) change in QTc intervals was -8 (10) ms (p = 0.047) at C min but non-significant at C max . R-methadone showed a concentration-dependent relationship with QTc intervals. Switching to R-methadone reduced QTc intervals, but far less than the 20 ms considered clinically relevant.