METHADONE TREATMENT DURING PREGNANCY

Methadone maintenance has been used for decades to treat opioid-depend ent pregnant women. The outcomes of pregnancies thus treated are vastl y improved over the outcomes of pregnancies complicated by street drug use. Despite its long history of successful use during pregnancy, lit tle is known about the long-term effects of methadone on the fetus and the newborn. Studies done in animals suggest there may be subtle effe cts on brain and behavior. Only recently have other treatments for opi oid dependency during pregnancy been investigated. There is increasing evidence that altering the traditional methadone maintenance protocol s may be beneficial, and that tapered withdrawal can be safely achieve d under some circumstances.