What Is Methadone?

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.methadone near me

addiction or abuse

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.methadone near me

What Does Methadone Do?

Me.thadone changes the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain so that you feel relief. Its effects are slower than those of other strong painkillers like morphine. Your doctor may prescribe methadone if you’re in a lot of pain from an injury, surgery, or long-term illness.

drugs like codeine

It also blocks the high from drugs like codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone. It can give a similar feeling and keep you from having withdrawal symptoms and cravings. You may hear this called replacement therapy.It’s usually just one part of your treatment plan. It isn’t a cure for addiction.methadone near me

How Is Methadone Used?

If you need methadone for pain, your doctor will write a prescription for it. For an addiction, you’ll get it from a special treatment program. You can find programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association treatment locator (https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/) or by calling 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Methadone comes in tablet

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.methadone near me

Don’t stop taking methadone without talking to them.

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.methadone near me

to treat an addiction

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.methadone near me

the effects of methadone

Even though the effects of methadone are different from those of other opioids, your body can still get used to it. This means you might need to take more to feel the same effects. This is called tolerance, and it can happen with any opioid. Your body can also become dependent on methadone and other opioids. Your brain relies on the pain relief they bring, and you have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly.methadone near me

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women and Methadone

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may take methadone. It can cross your placenta or go into your breast milk. Your doctor will keep this in mind when deciding on a treatment plan.If you’re pregnant and have a heroin or pain pill addiction, it’s especially important to get treatment to keep yourself and your baby safe. Babies born to women who take methadone might go into withdrawal.methadone near me

 used heroin or other opioids.

But most of them have fewer health problems than infants whose mothers used heroin or other opioids.Call your doctor or go to the ER if a breastfeeding infant shows unusual sleepiness, weakness, or breathing problems. When you’re ready to wean your baby off breast milk, talk to your doctor about how to do it slowly and safely to avoid methadone withdrawal.methadone near me

What is methadone?

Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs, and it can also used as a pain reliever.  When methadone is used for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) it reduces withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, but does not cause the “high” associated with the drug addiction.methadone near me

opioid treatment programs

Methadone is highly regulated medication (Schedule 2 Controlled Substances Act) and when used for OUD is only available through approved opioid treatment programs (OTP) that involves regular monitoring, counseling, and drug testing to make sure that patients are making progress in their recovery.methadone near me

methadone is used for pain

When methadone is used for pain it should only be used for pain that is severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment when no other treatment options have helped adequately. This medicine is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.methadone near me

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.methadone near me

MISUSE OF METHADONE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH

especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.methadone near me

Taking opioid medicine

Taking opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. See below for more information on using this medicine in pregnancy.Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.methadone near me

Methadone may cause a life-threatening

Methadone may cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Call your doctor at once if you have a headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, and fast or pounding heartbeats. Your heart function may need to be checked during treatment.methadone near me.

Pregnancy

Talk to your doctor before using opioid medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. If you use opioid medicine during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) which is treatable and your baby may need medical treatment for several weeks.methadone near me

Breastfeeding

Ask a doctor before using opioid medicine if you are breastfeeding. This medicine passes into breast milk and may harm your baby.  Tell your doctor immediately if you notice increased sleepiness (more than usual), difficulty breastfeeding, breathing difficulties, or limpness in the nursing baby. Talk to your baby’s doctor when you decide to wean your baby. It is important to wean your baby gradually so that your baby does not develop withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops receiving methadone in breastmilk.methadone near me

How should I use methadone?

Use this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.methadone near me

Never share opioid medicine with another person,

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.methadone near me

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you take methadone for pain: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then take your next dose 8 to 12 hours later.If you take methadone for drug addiction: Take your missed dose the next day at the regular time. If you miss your doses for longer than 3 days in a row, call your doctor for instructions. You may need to restart your dosing schedule at a lower dose.Do not take two doses at one time.methadone near me

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or person using opioid medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.methadone near me

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.methadone near me

Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy

Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.methadone near me

What should I avoid while using methadone?

Do not drink alcohol.

Dangerous side effects or death could occur.Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.methadone near me

Grapefruit may interact with this medicine and cause side effects

Grapefruit may interact with this medicine and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.There are many dangerous drug interactions with methadone. Tell your prescribing doctor about all medications that you take. See “What other drugs will affect methadone?” section below.methadone near me

Methadone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to methadone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.methadone near me

Opioid medicine

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.methadone near me

What other drugs will affect methadone?

You may have a fatal methadone overdose if you start or stop using certain other medicines. Tell your doctor about all your medications.methadone near me

what is Methadone

Methadone may be habit forming. Take methadone exactly as directed. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time or in a different way than prescribed by your doctor. While taking methadone, discuss with your healthcare provider your pain treatment goals, length of treatment, and other ways to manage your pain.methadone near me

 Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family drinks or has ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, uses or has ever used street drugs, or has overused prescription medications, or has had an overdose, or if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.methadone near me

overuse methadone

There is a greater risk that you will overuse methadone if you have or have ever had any of these conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider immediately and ask for guidance if you think that you have an opioid addiction or call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.methadone near me

Methadone may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems

Methadone may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of your treatment and any time your dose is increased. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had slowed breathing or asthma.methadone near me

 not to take methadone

Your doctor will probably tell you not to take methadone. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema), a head injury, a brain tumor, or any condition that increases the amount of pressure in your brain.methadone near me

develop breathing problems

The risk that you will develop breathing problems may be higher if you are an older adult or are weak or malnourished due to disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: slowed breathing, long pauses between breaths, or shortness of breath.methadone near me

other medication

Taking certain other medications during your treatment with methadone may increase the risk that you will experience serious, life-threatening side effects such as breathing problems, sedation, or coma. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take.methadone near me

change the doses of your medications

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications and will monitor you carefully. If you take methadone with other medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.methadone near me

symptoms may be serious

Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.methadone near me

Drinking alcohol, taking prescription or nonprescription medications

Drinking alcohol, taking prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or using street drugs during your treatment with methadone increases the risk that you will experience serious, life-threatening side effects. Do not drink alcohol, take prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol, or use street drugs during your treatment.methadone near me

Do not allow anyone else to take your medication

Do not allow anyone else to take your medication. Methadone may harm or cause death to other people who take your medication, especially children. Store methadone in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Be especially careful to keep methadone out of the reach of children.methadone near me

Keep track of how many tablets

Keep track of how many tablets or how much liquid is left so you will know if any medication is missing. Dispose of any unwanted methadone tablets or oral solution properly according to instructions. (See STORAGE and DISPOSAL.).methadone near me

Methadone may cause QT prolongation

Methadone may cause QT prolongation (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death). Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had long QT syndrome (an inherited condition in which a person is more likely to have QT prolongation) or if you have or ever had a slow or irregular heartbeat, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, or heart disease.methadone near me

Some medications when taken with methadone may increase the risk of QT prolongation occurring

Some medications when taken with methadone may increase the risk of QT prolongation occurring.Be sure and tell your doctor and pharmacist what medications you are taking before starting methadone. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: pounding heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.methadone near me

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you take methadone regularly during your pregnancy, your baby may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth. Tell your baby’s doctor right away if your baby experiences any of the following symptoms: irritability, hyperactivity, abnormal sleep, high-pitched cry, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, vomiting, diarrhea, or failure to gain weight.