Methadone for analgesia
Methadone for analgesia
Although methadone is most commonly used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, it is also used for the treatment of chronic pain. It is not recommended to initiate methadone in patients who are opioid naïve, or only intermittently use opioids, except in certain palliative or end-of-life care situations.
While there is no longer an application and approval process to prescribe methadone, and the College no longer maintains a list of methadone prescribers, the expectation remains that registrants obtain the relevant training and education prior to prescribing.
Training
Registrants with limited experience in prescribing methadone for pain are expected to acquire the relevant education and training:
- Read and adhere to the College practice standards:
- Complete the Canadian Virtual Hospice free, one-hour accredited on methadone for pain in palliative care
- Regularly review each patient’s PharmaNet profile
Relevant standards and guidelines
Registrants who prescribe methadone should familiarize themselves with relevant College standards and guidelines.
Order prescription pad
To prescribe methadone for analgesia, physicians must use a duplicate prescription pad.
Physicians can use the same prescription pad to prescribe methadone for analgesia and opioid use disorder.
Other health professions
Where necessary, registrants should also communicate with other health professionals who are providing care to a patient.
CPBC no longer maintains which pharmacies dispense methadone
The College of Pharmacists of British Columbia no longer maintains information on which pharmacies dispense methadone.
All BC pharmacies have the option of providing methadone services, but some may choose not to do so.