Methadone and buprenorphine toxicity in children.

Recent years have seen very large increases in the prescribing of methadone and buprenorphine formulations for treatment of opioid addiction as well as the increasing utilization of methadone for the treatment of chronic pain. Coincident with the rise in the prescribing of these drugs has been a substantial increase in pediatric opioid toxicities and adverse events. This review will address the current state of methadone- and buprenorphine-related adverse events in children in the United States. We will also discuss treatment of opioid toxicity in pediatric populations and make recommendations aimed at reducing these occurrences.