Methadone reduces the risk of HIV infection
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Methadone reduces the risk of HIV transmission in people who use injecting drugs. This is reported in an article in the online journal "British Medical Journal".
The research was carried out by the International team of scientists led by Julie Bruno from the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Montreal.
"There is direct evidence that opioid substitution treatment for drug addiction (methadone replacement therapy) is one of the most effective treatments for dependence caused by the use of opiates, for example, heroin. Nevertheless, the effect of substitution therapy on human immunodeficiency virus transmission has not been studied so far . This study confirms the effectiveness of methadone not only as a means of treating opioid dependence, but also as a means that can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission, "notes Dr. Bruno.
"These results are very important given the fact that the number of HIV-infected among injecting drug users in a number of countries where methadone substitution therapy is banned is increasing," the study's lead author added.
Injecting drug use is a major risk factor for the transmission of HIV and AIDS. According to calculations, about 10% of cases of HIV infection occur due to the use of injecting drugs.
Methadone and ibuprofen are the main drugs that are prescribed to drug addicts as substitution therapy.
The findings are a painstaking research work by scientists from Canada, the United States, Australia and Italy, who have teamed up to determine whether substitution therapy is effective in combating HIV.
The specialists supervised 23 608 drug addicts aged 26-39 years. During the observation period, 819 cases of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus were recorded.
After analyzing the data, experts concluded that during the use of treatment with substitution therapy, the risk of contracting was reduced in patients to 54%.
According to scientists, to say that the use of methadone as a protection against HIV is still early, because it is necessary to exclude all possible inaccuracies admitted in the study. However, Dr. Bruno hopes that further research in this direction will help promote substitution therapy for injecting drug users.
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