The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast Addiction Medicine Series #1 Methadone for OUD w/Dr. Ruth Potee
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Jul 7, 2022 AI Snips
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Methadone's Pharmacologic Strengths
- Methadone is a long‑acting full opioid agonist with high bioavailability that stabilizes withdrawal and cravings when dosed daily.
- Clinicians rarely learn its use despite decades of evidence showing strong effectiveness for opioid use disorder.
Treat To Feel Normal 24 Hours
- Aim methadone dosing to make patients feel normal and free of cravings for ~24 hours.
- Adjust dose until symptoms (cravings, drug dreams, evening 'off' switches) are controlled to reduce illicit use.
Fentanyl's Devastating Effects
- Dr. Ruth Potee described fentanyl as 'garbage' that forces people to use repeatedly just to feel normal.
- She emphasized the harm from frequent injections: more overdoses, infections, and hospitalizations.