Methadone in cancer-related neuropathic pain: A narrative review

Methadone in cancer-related neuropathic pain: A narrative review
Current Oncology; Faten Ragaban, Om Purohit, Egidio Del Fabbro; 12/24
The unique mechanisms of action and preliminary clinical trials support methadone's status as the first opioid to consider for CRNP [cancer-related neuropathic pain] when non-opioid first-line treatments have failed to alleviate patient symptoms. Methadone can also be considered as a first-line opioid in patients with mixed nociceptive-neuropathic pain and any of the following features: renal dysfunction; administration of opioids through a feeding tube; a lack of financial resources/insurance; and a switch from another high-dose opioid. More research is needed regarding methadone for CRNP and methadone's preferential use in specific sub-groups of patients.