UKRAINS'KYI VISNYK PSYKHONEVROLOHII

The Scientific and Practical Journal of Medicine
ISSN 2079-0325(p)
DOI 10.36927/2079-0325
Home » Archive of numbers » 2025 » Volume 33, issue 4 (125) » CLINICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF METHADONE COMPATIBILITY WITH DRUGS USED IN THE THERAPY OF COVID-19

CLINICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF METHADONE COMPATIBILITY WITH DRUGS USED IN THE THERAPY OF COVID-19

Authors

Type of Article

  • Scientific Article

In the Section

  • DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY OF MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

Key words

Index UDK:
  • 615.03:615.212.7:615.284:616.98:578.834(COVID-19)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and pharmacological compatibility of methadone with drugs used in COVID-19 therapy among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Bibliosemantic and analytical evaluation of the DrugBank and Liverpool COVID-19 Drug Interactions databases was conducted using artificial intelligence technologies (GPT-5). Molnupiravir, favipiravir, tocilizumab, baricitinib, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone demonstrated clinical compatibility with methadone. Administration of nirmatrelvir/ ritonavir (Paxlovid) may decrease methadone exposure and provoke withdrawal symptoms, requiring dose adjustment. Remdesivir poses a potential risk of QT-interval prolongation. Co‑administration of methadone with macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin) or fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) may produce additive cardiotoxic effects; β-lactam antibiotics are preferred alternatives. The findings emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, serial ECG monitoring, electrolyte control, and use of interaction databases for safe management of MMT patients receiving COVID-19 polypharmacotherapy

Pages

  • 57-65

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UKRAINS'KYI VISNYK PSYKHONEVROLOHII

The Scientific and Practical Journal of Medicine

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