Description

ABOUT

Methadone is part of a category of drugs called opioids. German doctors created it during World War II. When it came to the United States, doctors used it to treat people with extreme pain. Today, you might also get it as part of a treatment program for an addiction to heroin or narcotic painkillers.
Even though it’s safer than some other narcotics, your doctor should keep a close watch while you take methadone. Taking it can lead to addiction or abuse.

USAGE

Methadone comes in tablet, powder, and liquid forms. You have to have a prescription to get it. Your providers will give you the dose that should work best for you. They also might change your dose during treatment. Tell your doctor how you feel when you use it. Don’t stop taking methadone without talking to them.
Follow the dosage instructions exactly. If your doctor prescribes tablets that are “dispersible,” dissolve all or part of the tablet in liquid (usually water or citrus-flavored drinks) and drink it all.
Experts say people who take methadone to treat an addiction should use it for at least a year while they work on recovery. When it’s time to stop, your doctor will help you do so slowly to prevent withdrawal.
Some people take methadone illegally, without a prescription. Most of them inject it, which can expose them to diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.

DOSAGE

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
For pain:
For patients taking Dolophine® as the first pain medicine:
Adults—At first, 2.5 milligrams (mg) every 8 to 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Do not take more than your prescribed dose in 24 hours.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For patients switching from other opioids to Dolophine®:
Adults—The dose must be determined by your doctor based on the previous dose of opioid medicine. The dose is given every 8 or 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Do not take more than your prescribed dose in 24 hours.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS

Like all opioid medicines, methadone can cause life-threatening breathing problems. The risk of these is higher:

when first taking methadone
after a dosage increase
if you are older
if you have an existing lung problem
Other common side effects of methadone include:

sweating
difficulty passing urine
loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
abdominal cramps
constipation
aching muscles and joints
irregular periods
low sex drive
rashes and itching
lethargy, mental ‘fog’ and confusion
Methadone affects everyone differently, and your likelihood of experiencing side effects is based on several factors, including: whether you are a regular user of methadone; whether you take it with other drugs or medicines; your dosage; your weight; and your general health.
If you experience any of these side effects while taking methadone, or you are concerned about your drug use, speak with your doctor.
Always take medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

CONCLUSION

Methadone is a long-acting opiate used in the treatment of opiate dependence and detoxification and for patients having chronic, severe pain. There is increasing evidence that long-term methadone use in patients who are dependent on opiates has substantial societal benefits, including diminishing illicit opiate use, reducing the transmission of HIV and hepatitis, and decreasing criminal activity and healthcare costs in this population. A number of obstacles to methadone treatment exist. These include restrictive governmental regulations, the stigma of opiate addiction, and the lack of healthcare practitioners and clinics sanctioned by Food and Drug Administration that are capable of providing therapy to all patients who may benefit.