Bomb319
Bluelighter
Hi all,
First, please let me state that I am aware there are many other topics on BL regarding potentiation of methadone, however my question is different and is based on a specific scenario. I am really hoping that someone is able to help me with this, since I seem to have many issues with the drug wearing off too quickly for me, and it's not unusual for me to have to deal with fairly bad withdrawal less than 24 hours after dosing.
Anyway, I am pretty sure the CYP enzymes are the ones responsible for matabolizing methadone as they do for many other drugs and opiates, correct? This being the case, grapefruit juice in sufficient quantities should theoretically occupy these enzymes and result in a greater plasma concentration of the drug for a longer period of time. However, somewhat unique to methadone, stomach acidity plays a very important factor in terms of the uptake of the drug. I have heard that an acidic stomach can cause up to one third of your dose to not be absorbed. This would make a HUGE difference if true, or even a fraction of that. Naturally as grapefruit juice is highly acidic (although not as much as natural stomach acid), I would think that taking my dose along with GFJ at the same time way be detrimental and even do more harm than good; I always dose on an empty stomach at least, and have recently been taking antacids and baking soda to raise my stomach pH beforehand.
This leads me to believe that the best role of grapefruit juice in this situation may be to take it ONLY WELL AFTER taking the methadone and having it long passed out of the stomach and having taken effect. This way, the GFJ would begin using at least some CYP enzyme while not interferingwith the initial absorption of the dose, and thereby may last longer in the body (although doing this wouldn't allow for using GFJ to produce a stronger initial buzz). Does anyone know this for certain of have any experience and/or advice??? Thanks!
First, please let me state that I am aware there are many other topics on BL regarding potentiation of methadone, however my question is different and is based on a specific scenario. I am really hoping that someone is able to help me with this, since I seem to have many issues with the drug wearing off too quickly for me, and it's not unusual for me to have to deal with fairly bad withdrawal less than 24 hours after dosing.
Anyway, I am pretty sure the CYP enzymes are the ones responsible for matabolizing methadone as they do for many other drugs and opiates, correct? This being the case, grapefruit juice in sufficient quantities should theoretically occupy these enzymes and result in a greater plasma concentration of the drug for a longer period of time. However, somewhat unique to methadone, stomach acidity plays a very important factor in terms of the uptake of the drug. I have heard that an acidic stomach can cause up to one third of your dose to not be absorbed. This would make a HUGE difference if true, or even a fraction of that. Naturally as grapefruit juice is highly acidic (although not as much as natural stomach acid), I would think that taking my dose along with GFJ at the same time way be detrimental and even do more harm than good; I always dose on an empty stomach at least, and have recently been taking antacids and baking soda to raise my stomach pH beforehand.
This leads me to believe that the best role of grapefruit juice in this situation may be to take it ONLY WELL AFTER taking the methadone and having it long passed out of the stomach and having taken effect. This way, the GFJ would begin using at least some CYP enzyme while not interferingwith the initial absorption of the dose, and thereby may last longer in the body (although doing this wouldn't allow for using GFJ to produce a stronger initial buzz). Does anyone know this for certain of have any experience and/or advice??? Thanks!