Comparative study on the circulatory and respiratory effects of buprenorphine and methadone
de Klerk, G.; Mattie, H.; Spierdijk, J.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica 32(2): 131-139
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5164 PMID: 6794327 Document Number: 176738
A comparative double blind study on the effects on circulation and respiration of buprenorphine and methadone was performed on 4 healthy volunteers. Both drugs were given by continuous slow i.v. infusion. Before and after administration of the drugs, the subjects breathed in an open system, gas mixtures of 50% O2/50% N2, then rebreathed through a closed system 50% O2/43% N2/7% CO2. After each breathing/rebreathing period pupil diameters were measured photographically. The effects on respiration were calculated as shifts in volume percentage CO2 necessary to obtain a standard respiratory minute volume. Analysis of variance showed a dose-independent inhibition of respiration by buprenorphine and a dose-dependent inhibition by methadone. Both drugs caused a weakly dose-dependent miosis. There were no significant dose-dependent effects on circulation, and both drugs had similar side effect profiles.