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Drug Interactions between Opioids and Antiretroviral Medications: Interaction between Methadone, LAAM, and Nelfinavir
Author(s) -
McCanceKatz Elinore F.,
Rainey Petrie M.,
Smith Patrick,
Morse Gene,
Friedland Gerald,
Gourevitch Marc,
Jatlow Peter
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490490436037
Subject(s) - nelfinavir , methadone , drug , medicine , pharmacology , opioid , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virology , antiretroviral therapy , viral load , receptor
Understanding drug interactions between antiretrovirals and opiate therapies may decrease toxicities and enhance adherence, with improved HIV outcomes in injection drug users. We report results of a clinical pharmacology study designed to examine the interaction of the protease inhibitor, nelfinavir, with methadone and LAAM (N = 48). Nelfinavir decreased methadone exposure, but no withdrawal was observed over the five day study period. LAAM and dinor LAAM concentrations were decreased, while nor LAAM concentrations were increased, with minimal overall change in LAAM / metabolite exposure. Methadone and LAAM did not affect nelfinavir concentrations, but methadone decreased M8 metabolite exposure. While no toxicities were observed, clinicians should be aware of the potential for drug interactions when patients require treatment with nelfinavir and these opiate medicatioons. (Am J Addict 2004;13:163–180)