METHADONE STUDY LOOKS AT DOSAGE

A SINGLE daily dose of methadone is not enough to prevent withdrawal
symptoms for 24 hours in about a third of opiate addicts, according
to a University of WA researcher.

Associate professor in pharmacology Ken Ilett said more research was
needed to find the best way to treat methadone clients who continued
to experience withdrawal symptoms.

"Many will find by about 7pm or 8pm they start to feel a bit shaky
with headaches and sweats and they don't sleep well," he said.

He said the problem with some program participants who continued to
have withdrawal symptoms was that their bodies processed the
methadone too quickly. There was a chance they would benefit from
having their single daily dosage split into two.

Participants were needed for a study by Next Step Specialist Drug and
Alcohol Services and UWA on the best way to administer methadone.
Contact Belinda Wright at Next Step on 9346 4380.