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Read about preferred pain drug – methadone – now called last resort …

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Seattle Times reports doctors are receiving stark warnings that methadone is riskier and more dangerous than previously believed because it’s unpredictable and poses a heightened risk of accidental death.

Methadone is the same drug that got Toledo’s Dr. Lance Christansen in trouble after a string of patient deaths primarily attributed by authorities to over-prescribing methadone.

Two Seattle Times reporters wrote back in December about a “preferred” drug list that took effect in 2004 for doctors prescribing to those covered under injured workers claims, state workers and Medicaid.

That was the same year complaints began about Christiansen after four Lewis County residents died.

Among those who raised alarms about Christiansen, was the state Department of Labor and Industries, sparked by a call from the Lewis County Coroner’s Office about suspicious deaths.

In one of those deaths, the state alleged Christiansen prescribed five to 10 times the appropriate amount. His license to practice was subsequently taken away.
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Read  The Seattle Times story “Preferred pain drug now called last resort” from The Seattle Times on  Saturday January 27, 2012 at 8:59 p.m., here [1]