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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2021, 23, N6 (pages: 41 - 50)

Different formulations of methadone and levomethadone in the management of Opioid Use Disorder.

Somaini L., Vecchio S., Salvatore D.F., Ercolini A., and Leonardi C.

Summary: Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) has been found to be effective in treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and methadone is still the most used drug worldwide for this purpose. However serious consideration should be given to the modality of methadone delivery, as it influences not only treatment outcomes, but also the attitudes of policy makers and the community. Treatment systems, providing a correct management of different methadone and levomethadone formulations based on patients' characteristics, have an impact on phenomena such as misuse and diversion of OAT. Availability of methadone tablets in many European countries has increased therapeutic strategies for the management of OUD improving the treatment outcomes. Identifying the correct treatment regimens along with choosing the most suitable drug formulations, adapted to the individual needs of the patient, is critical to avoid misuse and diversion during OAT.