Replacement of fentanyl infusion by enteral methadone decreases the weaning time from mechanical ventilation: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) are frequently administered prolonged and/or high doses of opioids which when removed can cause a withdrawal syndrome and difficulty in weaning from MV. We tested the hypothesis that the introduction of enteral methadone during weaning from sedation and analgesia in critically ill adult patients on MV would decrease the weaning time from MV.

Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in the adult intensive care units (ICUs) of four general hospitals in Brazil.

Potential drug interactions prevalence in intensive care units.

Objectives: Drug interactions occur when effects and/or toxicity of a drug are affected by presence of another drug. They are usually unpredictable and undesirable. A study was conducted to verify the prevalence and clinical value of potential drug interactions in intensive care units

Methods: All patients, of three intensive care units were included in a cross-sectional study, over a period of two months.