Methadone "inactive" ingredient questions

['medicine cabinet']

I was going to put this on the megathread in OD, but i figured id get better responses here.

Recently my MMT clinic changed formulations of methadone from vista pharm methadone oral concentrate, to malincrockdts Methadose oral concentrate. The new stuff is disgusting. It is darker has a stronger cherry flavor and has a strange after taste. I have found the inactive ingredients in both and was wondering what, if anything i can be told about their differences.

Other ingredients of Methadose oral concentrate: artificial cherry flavor, citric acid anhydrous, FD&C Red No 40, D&C Red No 33, methylparaben, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, sodium citrate dihydrate, sucrose.---- malincrockdt


Other ingredients of Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Concentrate: Artificial Cherry Flavor, Sorbic Acid NF, Potassium Sorbate NF, FD&C Red No. 40, D&C Red No. 33, Poloxamer 188 NF, Propylene Glycol USP, Glycerin USP, Sucrose NF, and Purified Water USP.-vista

I have read that parabens are esterogenic which worries me since methadone naturally lowers test levels and this new stuff has 2 of them in it, and the poloxamer size is different, causing different absorbtion rates. i know the rest of the stuff like the dye and sucrose, purified water, flavor ect wouldnt cause it to be different. but would the poloxamer molecule size difference make it seem weaker? ive been on this new brand for 2 days now and this morning i actually woke up early with that "uh oh" feeling.

maybe im just crazy, but would the listed ingredient differences have any effect?

i know there has got to be ppl on this board who know additives and perservatives.

edit- i just found this while searching

Biological Effect Of Poloxamers

Work led by Kabanov has recently shown that some of these polymers, originally thought to be inert carrier molecules, have a very real effect on biological systems independently of the drug they are transporting. The poloxamers have been shown to incorporate into cellular membranes affecting the microviscosity of the membranes.

 

[bagochina]

I have been switched to a different methadone concentrate before and felt the same. It basically did not hold me as well and caused the whole clinic to go into an uproar. I can barely remember but I know it caused me to raise my dose. Sucks.

As for the polymers, no idea.

 

['medicine cabinet']

Yea when i told the nurse i felt this stuff was inferior she just kinda rolled her eyes and i asked her im not the first person to say this am i? And she shook her head. I really hope they switch back to the vista pharm stuff, who would figure the generic would be better than the brand name in this instance. Also i dont want to raise my dose either 110 is good for me...plus since im rx'd xanax theyy cap you off at 110. Sucks.

 

[sekio]

The poloxamers are added not as any sort of drug release mechanism, they are added as surfactant thickeners to keep the methadone stable in solution. The fact that it's in solution and not e.g. in a hard little polymer-matrix pill means it will be rapidly absorbed. Think of the poloxamers as a form of mineral oil or chewing gum that will just pass through you.

maybe im just crazy, but would the listed ingredient differences have any effect?

No, there shouldn't be any perceptible difference... assuming the 'done is of the same concentration.
The parabens, while they are indeed weakly estrogenic, are only added to prevent bacterial growth as a preservative (instead of sorbic acid). It is not a concern.

Companies would get into humongous legal troubles if they sold, for instance, 5mg/ml methadone syrup that only contains 3.5 mg/ml.

 

['medicine cabinet']

Yea i get the active ingredient thing, but whats the difference in the size of the poloxamers ie 188 vs 407 or is there really no difference? Good to know that the parabens are weakly estrogenic. Thanks for the info seiko.