Methadone

Generical name: methadone (oral/injection) 
Brand name: Dolophine, Methadose, Methadose Sugar-Free, Diskets
Forms for dosage: injectable solution; oral concentrate or oral tablet; tablet dispersible.
Drug Class: Narcotic analgesics

Was is the meaning of methadone?

Methadone is an opioid. Sometimes, opioids are referred to as a drug.

Methadone helps reduce withdrawal symptoms for addicts to heroin or other narcotics without creating a “high” associated with the addiction to drugs.

Methadone is employed as a painkiller and is used in maintenance and detoxification for addiction programs. It can only be purchased through a licensed pharmacy.

Methadone is used as around-the-clock treatment of pain that is severe. The medication can be used for all hours of the day but is not to be used on a regular basis for pain.¶

Warnings

It is best not to use methadone in the case of breathing issues or asthma that are severe or a blockage within your stomach, or the intestines.

The misuse of Methadone can lead to addiction or death particularly for children or anyone else taking the medication without a prescription. Place the medicine in a safe place that is secure and where no one else can access it.

Opioid medicine taken during pregnancy could result in life-threatening withdrawal symptoms for the baby.

Side effects that are fatal can be expected if you mix opioids in conjunction with alcohol or other substances that can cause drowsiness or slow breathing.

Methadone can cause a potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeat. Consult your physician immediately when you suffer from headaches with chest pain, severe dizziness, or rapid or high-pitched heartbeats. Your heart’s function could require a check in the course of treatment.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor.

It is not recommended to use methadone when you are allergic to it or are:

• serious asthma or breathing problems severe asthma or breathing problems
• A blockage in your stomach, or the intestines.

Methadone can cause a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problem. The heart’s function could need to be assessed while you are receiving treatment.

To ensure that methadone is safe for you, inform your doctor if previously had:

• heart conditions heart issues, heart problems, QT syndrome (in the case of you as well as a loved one);
• breathing issues sleep apnea, breathing problems
• A head injury, seizures, or brain tumor;
• alcohol or drug addiction or mental illness
• kidney or liver disease;
• Problems with urination or
• issues with your gallbladder, thyroid, or pancreas.

If you are taking opioids during pregnancy, your child could be born with potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and could require medical care for a few weeks.

Do not feed your baby breastmilk. Methadone can pass into breast milk, causing respiratory problems, drowsiness, or even death for nursing babies.

What should I do with methadone?

Take methadone as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label, and be sure to read the prescription guides or instructions sheets. Don’t use methadone in higher quantities, or for a longer period than what is prescribed. Talk to your doctor if have a strong urge to take the drug.

Don’t share opioids with a person, especially one who has an addiction history. Misuse of opioids can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Make sure the medicine is kept in a place in a place where no one else can access it. Giving away or selling this medication is against the law.

Methadone oral is administered through the mouth. The injection is injected directly into the vein.

Take measurements of liquid medicine using the measuring device supplied (not an ordinary spoon).

Dissolve the tablet into the water, orange juice, or another non-alcoholic beverage with a citrus flavor. Mix it up and drink it immediately.

Do not crush a pill in order to take in the powder or inject it directly into your vein. It could cause death.

It is not recommended to stop taking methadone abruptly. Consult your physician prior to taking the medication.

Keep it the medicine at room temperatures, far from heat, moisture, and light. Store your medication in a location in a place where nobody will be able to use it incorrectly.

Don’t keep any leftover medication. A single dose can cause death if someone uses the medicine in error or incorrectly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug return program or flush the unneeded medicine down the drain.

If I don’t take a dose?

If you’re taking methadone for pain: take the dose missed as soon as you remember. Then, you can take the next dose between 8 and 12 hours later.

If you’re taking methadone to treat addiction to drugs: Take the dose you missed the previous day at the same time. If you are absent from your doses for more than three days consecutively consult your physician for advice. You might need to restart your dose with a lower dosage.

Do not take more than two doses at the same time.

How do I react if take too much?

Get medical attention immediately or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose may be fatal, particularly in the case of a child or someone who is taking opioids that are not prescribed. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, a sharpening of pupils, slow breathing, or the inability to breathe.

Your physician may suggest you take Naloxone (a medicine that reverses an overdose of opioids) and carry it in your bag always. Someone who cares for you could administer medication if you are unable to breathe or don’t wake. The person who cares for you must seek medical attention in the event of an emergency. They might need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on your behalf while waiting for assistance to arrive.

You can purchase naloxone at pharmacies or your local health department. Be sure that anyone who cares for you understands the location where you keep your naloxone and how to utilize it.

What should I stay clear of while taking methadone?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death can occur.

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you understand how methadone affects your body. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents, falls, or even serious injuries.

Grapefruit could be in contact with methadone, causing negative side negative effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

Side effects of Methadone

See a doctor immediately Get medical attention immediately if you show symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction with methadone symptoms like hives; trouble breathing or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Opioid medicines may slow or stop your breathing and even cause it is possible to die. The person who is caring for you must administer Naloxone or seek medical attention if you experience prolonged breathing, pauses in your breathing or blue-colored lips, or if you find it difficult to get up.

Contact your doctor immediately If you are suffering from:

• breath that is shallow or weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops when you sleeping;
• severe constipation severe;
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you’re passing out;
• Heartbeats that are fast or pounding, breathing in your chest that is fluttering or breathlessness;
• low cortisol levels – nausea vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite. tiredness that is worsening, dizziness or weakness;
• serotonin syndrome hallucinations, agitation high fever, rapid heart rate muscles stiffness Twitching, loss of coordination nausea, and diarrhea.

Breathing problems that are serious could be more prevalent in older people and those who suffer from debilitation or suffer from wasting syndrome, or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects of methadone are:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• an increase in sweating more sweating
• discomfort, redness, or swelling around the area where the medicine was injected.

This isn’t a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications could have an effect on methadone?

There’s a chance that you will die from a methadone overdose when you begin or stop using other drugs. Discuss with your doctor all the medications you take.

A variety of other medications can be harmful when combined in conjunction with opioids. Tell your doctor when you are using:

• Medicine for asthma, allergies blood pressure Irritatable bowel, motion sickness, or bladder that is overactive;
• Other opioid drugs;
• A benzodiazepine-based sedative such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
• sleep medication and muscle relaxers or other medications that cause you to sleep; or
• medications that alter serotonin levels Serotonin-related drugs, such as antidepressants stimulants, or medicines for Parkinson’s disease or migraines.

This list is not comprehensive. A variety of drugs can interact with methadone, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter such as vitamins, herbal products. There aren’t all interactions included here.