Levo methadone
Normally, methadone is a racemate, which means it is a mixture
(50:50) of left- and right-turning molecule-chains with the chemical name D-L-methadone
(D = dextro, L = levo). Levo methadone only contains the left-turning molecule
chains, which have an effect on opiate receptors and form the active part of
methadone. It means that 100mg D-L-Methadone consist of 50mg D-methadone (inactive)
and 50mg L-methadone (active). There seems to be only a little difference in
the effect, but purifiying D-L-methadone is an expensive procedure. Levo-methadone
(Polamidon) is about ten times more expensive than D-L-methadone. Levo methadone
is only prescribed in Germany for pain relief and has only been used for maintenance
treatment of opiate dependence (Polamidon) since 1989. In 1994, D-L- methadone
was made available as well. Some people feel better with levo methadone. At
present a double blind randomised study is being conducted in Hamburg, comparing
methadone with levo methadone. The results will be available at the end of 2003.