AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith Date: 5/27/2008 Subject: Methadone for pain
Question I asked you some questions a couple of years ago regarding methadone for pain - you gave me some very good information and seemed quite upset with the situation. My sister was prescribed methadone for pain 40mg. 4 times a day converted from Lortab 7.5mg two q.i.d., along with xanax - 1mg. q.i.d and ambien 10-20-mg. q.h.s and soma q.i.d and advair 200/50 b.i.d and geodon 40mg b.i.d and ritalin 20mg t.i.d for pain - My sister died in less than 24 hours after taking the first dose of methadone. She also had emphysema and pnuemonia at the time - now my question is - if she was found with a brownish froth in her mouth- would this be a sign that she just went to sleep and quit breathing or would the brownish froth indicate an acute myocardial infaction? or both? or neither? Any information you could provide will be greatly appreciated.
Answer Dear Terry
I am not a pathologist but would suspect the brownish froth could be related to her emphysema with concurrent pneumonia rather than as a result of a MI. You sister does sound like she was very ill and probably terminally so looking at the drugs she was taking. I am very surprised that she was initiated on such a high dose of methadone as it is a respiratory depressant, not what one wants with her pulmonary conditions; however it and some of the other drugs (Xanax, Ambien, Geodon and Ritalin) may very well have been only palliative treatment. Whether or not these accelerated her death is purely conjecture.
