To identify methadone-related deaths, information was obtained from the 2002–2014 National Vital Statistics System multiple cause of death mortality data ( 4). Additional clinical and public health policy changes are needed to reduce harm associated with methadone use for pain, especially among persons aged ≥55 years. There was no change among persons aged ≥65 years, and among persons aged 55–64 years the methadone overdose death rate continued to increase through 2014. Census regions, the methadone overdose death rate peaked during 2005–2007 and declined in subsequent years. Across sex, most age groups, racial/ethnic populations, and U.S.

During 2002–2006, rates of methadone diversion increased 24.3% per year during 2006–2009, the rate increased at a slower rate, and after 2009, the rate declined 12.8% per year through 2014. Methadone-involved overdose deaths increased 22.1% per year during 2002–2006 and then declined 6.5% per year during 2006–2014. On average, the rate of grams of methadone distributed increased 25.1% per year during 2002–2006 and declined 3.2% per year during 2006–2013. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC analyzed methadone distribution, reports of diversion (the transfer of legally manufactured methadone into illegal markets), and overdose deaths during 2002–2014. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the U.S. Beginning with 2006 warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), efforts to reduce methadone use for pain have accelerated ( 2, 3). Although methadone accounted for only 2% of opioid prescriptions in 2009 ( 1), it was involved in approximately 30% of overdose deaths. Use of the prescription opioid methadone for treatment of pain, as opposed to treatment of opioid use disorder (e.g., addiction), has been identified as a contributor to the U.S. What are the implications for public health practice?Īdditional clinical and public health policy changes are needed to further reduce methadone-related harm, especially among persons aged ≥55 years. Among persons aged 55–64 years, the rate of methadone overdose deaths continued to increase through 2014.

There was no significant change in the overdose death rate trend among persons aged ≥65 years, who also had the lowest overdose death rate. Persons aged 25–54 years had the highest overdose death rates during the study period. Census region, the methadone overdose death rate peaked during 2005–2007 and declined in subsequent years.

By sex, most age groups, race/ethnicity, and U.S. Rates of methadone diversion continued to increase during 2006–2009, but substantially more slowly, and then declined an average of 12.8% per year beginning in 2010. After 2006, methadone distribution declined 3.2% per year, and methadone-involved overdose deaths declined 6.5% per year. In recent years, a number of actions to reduce the use of methadone for pain treatment have been taken.ĭuring 2002–2006, the national distribution rate of methadone increased, on average, 25.1% per year, methadone-involved drug overdose deaths increased 22.1% per year, and methadone diversion increased 24.3% per year. Use of the prescription opioid methadone for treatment of pain, rather than for treatment of opioid use disorder, has been identified as an important contributor to the rise in opioid-related overdose deaths.

The methadones fireside bowl 2003