The introduction of enteral methadone during weaning from sedation and analgesia in mechanically ventilated patients resulted in a decrease in the weaning time from mechanical ventilation (MV).

A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in the adult intensive care units (ICUs) of four general hospitals in Brazil.

Of the 75 patients randomized, seven were excluded and 68 were analyzed: 37 from the MG and 31 from the CG.

There was a higher probability of early extubation in the MG, but the difference was not significant (hazard ratio: 1.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 2.64; P = 0.11).

The probability of successful weaning by the fifth day was significantly higher in the MG (hazard ratio: 2.64 (95% CI: 1.22 to 5.69; P < 0.02).

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