Levomethadone

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Levomethadone

What it is

Levomethadone (L-methadone) is the active mirror-image half of methadone, the form responsible for most of its opioid effect. It is used as maintenance treatment for opioid dependence and for severe pain, mainly in Germany and other European countries, where it is sold as L-Polamidon. Compared with ordinary methadone, the same effect comes with less of the inactive half, which contributes to effects on the heart rhythm.

How genes come into it

Levomethadone is broken down by CYP3A4, CYP2B6 and CYP2D6. The few gene studies on it looked at CYP2B6 and CYP2D6, the regulator NR1I3 and the transporter ABCB1 for its blood levels, much as for racemic methadone. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Levomethadone. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Metabolism (8 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotype AA is associated with decreased clearance of levomethadone in people with HIV infectious disease as compared to genotypes AT + TT.

CYP2B6 rs3745274: Genotypes GT + TT are associated with increased concentrations of levomethadone in people with Opioid-Related Disorders as compared to genotype GG.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*1xN, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6: CYP2D6 *1/*1xN is associated with decreased concentrations of (S)-methadone and levomethadone in people with Heroin Dependence as compared to CYP2D6 *1/*1 + *1/*3 + *1/*4 + *1/*5 + *1/*6 (assigned as normal metabolizer phenotype) .

CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6: CYP2D6 *3/*4 + *4/*4 + *4/*6 are associated with increased concentrations of (S)-methadone and levomethadone in people with Heroin Dependence as compared to CYP2D6 *1/*1 + *1/*3 + *1/*4 + *1/*5 + *1/*6 (assigned as normal metabolizer phenotype) .

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Alfenta (Opioids)

Codeine (Opioids)

Demerol (Opioids)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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