Comments on: James Irvin positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone

By: tim

tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:34:21 +0000

dilaudid is NOT oxymorphone, dilaudid is in HYDROMORPHONE!
And methadone is NOT an antagonist! It is a potent opioid AGONIST!

By: tim

tim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:28:06 +0000

Methadone is not only used for addicts, but it is also used for PAIN, you dumbasses! Don’t talk shit unless you actually know what you are talking about. Methadone is very commonly used for PAIN, so quit assuming it is ONLY used for addiction!
Also, oxymorphone, the main ingredient in OPANA, comes in 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40mg, is a very potent opiate pain killer.
For those morons who keep making up false info about these drugs, now you know the truth!

By: Elijah

Elijah — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:20:52 +0000

The bottom line in this issue is that he took something for pain due to a lingering injury (broken foot) and probably got hooked on opiates. He likely took the opiates first to kill the pain and then got off the drugs in the hopes that he would be clean in time for the event, and took the Methadone to deal with his withdrawals.

It doesn’t matter whether or not he had a valid prescription, he was still taking something that is banned/controlled by the athletic commissions. If he was hurt, he should not have been cleared to fight. Had he made known his injuries and ‘come clean’ about using the drugs legally (still against the commission rules) he would not have been suspended, just not cleared to fight until deemed healthy and clean. He was likely looking for a payday and trying to secure his spot within the UFC.

Ultimately, he made the wrong choice if you consider getting caught and suspended. However, I imagine that he was thinking more about his present and future financial well-being in the sport, which led to his failed test.

Drugs are bad, mmmmkay? Sorry, couldn’t resist.

By: Elijah

Elijah — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:08:54 +0000

ViolentMike’s comments above are pretty much spot on. I am posting to address a couple of things he wasn’t sure about or didn’t cover…no disrespect intended to him or anyone else. It is a bit long-winded and doesn’t really relate to the whole issue of Irvin’s failed test and the implications that resulted.

All of the drugs are opioid analgesics, derived from the opium poppy or, less commonly, synthetically. They are, of course, highly addictive and many who receive them, even from reputable physicians/nurses while under closely-scrutinized treatment, become hooked.

The other main type of painkillers are the NSAIDs, Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs, which are less effective and often cause intestinal distress/ulcers. They are usually prescribed with food in order to lessen the irritation to the linings of the GastroIntestinal tract (GI), but especially the stomach where most of the drug is broken down/absorbed into the bloodstream.

As for Methadone, it is used to allow those who desire to break their dependence on the opiate narcotics without the severe effects of withdrawals and also diminishes the likelihood of relapses. Success rate is very high if the recovering addict stays on the Methadone, which is itself an addiction of sorts. It is most common to receive Methadone in a liquid form as it has a higher efficacy due to the fact that it is more rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

This is akin to heart medications that are sublingual (under the tonuge) or respiratory medications that are inhalants (puffers/nasal sprays) where immediate relief is a priority to the well-being of the patient. As mentioned earlier, it is something of an addiction and the one-a-day ritual and its fast acting liquid form give the patient a quick counter to the withdrawals that would otherwise be present. Having the treatment take effect quickly is thus most important during the initial phase of treatment where cravings are most severe, and giving the addicts the best chance to beat their addictions.

Apparently Methadone does not taste very good, even when mixed with a fruit juice or fruit drink like Tang, but I have spoken with numerous former addicts who are very grateful to have gotten off of their former drug of choice despite the daily ritual of taking Methadone and its poor taste.

Hopefully this post answered any questions that might have remained. Online resources like Wikipedia, The Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and other can give much insight to how the drugs and their cures work within the body if anyone should desire to learn more.

Sorry for the length of the post…

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:28:02 +0000

Just want to clear up a lot of your misconceptions here. While methadone is often used to treat heroin addiction, it is also prescribed as a pain killer to many patients I have seen in the hospital, especially those suffering from chronic pain. The thing I couldn’t believe is that Irvin tested positive for oxymorphone. Oxymorphone is a stronger pain killer than Dilaudid; in turn, Dilaudid is stronger than Morphine. That means Mr. Irvin was taking some seriously strong shit. Best of luck to him!

By: wilfredo rivera

wilfredo rivera — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:48:56 +0000

wow u know your med terms there huh? either a aspiring doc or addict i sure hope not the later

By: azazelel

azazelel — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:24:41 +0000

Methadone is used about 50/50 for addicts as liquid or pain relief as 10mg tablets. It is preferred for low cost and long lasting effect on pain. No high experienced at all unless taken in mass quantities 80-120mg at once. If “high” it would slow him down, not enhance performance. Oxymorphone is not Dilaudid, that would be Hydromorphone. Oxymorphone is a metabolite produced by your liver when taking Oxycodone. This could be anything from percocet to Oxycontin. Methadone is an antagonist while oxycodone an agonist. Therefore using Methadone would block the opiate receptors thus eliminating any effects from oxycodone or oxymorphone (which is also a pain med, but very rare if not impossible to find or have prescribed) so I would beleive it was a metabolite of oxycodone use in this case. My guess is pain medication for a current injury. I wouldn’t be shocked if he actually had prescriptions he kept private. Although, both are very easily found around the hood and that could be just as likely. Anyone out there jumping to the conclusion that he’s a “junkie”, may you never have to experience true pain. Also, I take test results with the grain of salt. the prevalence of false positives is bewildering. More-so if double checked with the LC/MS test. It is supposed to be more sensitive but has a high level of overlap. Using 2 percocets could create a positive in the entire opiate category. Find the one with the highest levels and that is most probably the one used.

By: fighter fan

fighter fan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:45:21 +0000

Oxymorphone, I know is a bit stronger than percocet, and not prescribed as often. I haven’t researched but i believe it is dilaudid..?? I could be mistaken on that. Methadone is no longer a drug that is only given to those addicted to the needle. Given the rise of addiction to the avail. high power opiates (pain pills), many addicts are r/x methadone who have never used needles. This does appear to be a case of someone who does have opiate dependancy issues. If memory serves… Irvin was supposed to fight Silva very soon after Irvin’s k.o. of houston Alexander. It is very possible he could have been dealing with addictive issues at that point, or in the process of even dealing with a training injury. He may have very well went into this fight hoping to beat the test , but knowing he was ‘dirty’. I would take that chance too, to make the biggest payday of my career. maybe all of you guys would have done “the right thing”. I seriously doubt there is 1person on here who knows shit about training at that level!! Keep in mind what you don’t have the ability to do, before flaming on these guys for trying to make it in the fight game. What should he have done. Told dana, “hey I have to go to rehab for a month right now. Give the fight to someone better deserving than myself. But when I get out, I’d be more than happy to fight Anderson” I am not a pro fighter myself, but I don’t see someone making a lucrative living that way.

By: The Anomaly

The Anomaly — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:34:47 +0000

awwww c’mon john, don’t act like your the only one that called it. Everybody said Anderson would win, becuase he’s anderson. Saying that you got crucified for saying anderson would win, just dont remember that ever happening.

By: UPTIX

UPTIX — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:37 +0000

Nope – they really make you drowsy; knocked me out. I guess opiates should get the assist on Silva’s win.(not that he needed any help)

Watching Silva at 205 makes me want to see him fight Machida. I think it’d be a great technical matchup.