methadone

What is the most important information I should know about methadone?
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Methadone may be habit-forming. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using methadone after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using methadone suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose.
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Your doctor may recommend that methadone be given to you by a family member or other caregiver. This is to make sure you are using the medicine as it was prescribed as part of your treatment. It is important to use methadone regularly to get the most benefit.
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Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended during treatment with methadone.
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Do not use more methadone than prescribed if you feel that the medicine is not working properly. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve while using methadone.
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Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking methadone. Ask your doctor before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, or pain while taking methadone. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
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Avoid drinking alcohol, which can cause more severe drowsiness and dizziness while you are using methadone.
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Avoid using drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). Methadone may increase the effects of these other drugs and make drowsiness or dizziness worse.
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Methadone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What is methadone?
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Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. Methadone also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug addiction.
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Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programs.
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Methadone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using methadone?
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Before taking methadone, talk to your doctor if you have:
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kidney disease;
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liver disease;
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asthma, lung disease, or breathing problems;
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an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
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hypothyroidism;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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a head injury or brain tumor; or
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Addison's disease.
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You may not be able to use methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
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Do not use methadone without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
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Methadone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Methadone without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use methadone?
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Use methadone exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
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When methadone is used as part of a treatment program for drug addiction or detoxification, you will receive the medication through a clinic or special pharmacy.
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Methadone is available as tablets, liquid for oral administration, and as an injection. Oral forms of methadone must never be injected.
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Take the oral tablets with a full glass of water.
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To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
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Your doctor may recommend that methadone be given to you by a family member or other caregiver. This is to make sure you are using the medicine as it was prescribed as part of your treatment.
•
Do not use more methadone than prescribed if you feel that the medicine is not working properly. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve while using methadone.
•
It is important to use methadone regularly to get the most benefit.
•
Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended during treatment with methadone.
•
Methadone may be habit-forming. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using methadone after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using methadone suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to gradually reduce the dose.
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Store methadone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Methadone.
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Symptoms of a methadone overdose may include shallow or decreased breathing, slow heart rate, small pupils, cold, clammy skin, coma, and death.
What should I avoid while using methadone?
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Methadone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
•
Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking methadone. Ask your doctor before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, or pain while taking methadone. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
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Avoid drinking alcohol, which can cause more severe drowsiness and dizziness while you are using methadone.
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Avoid using drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). Methadone may increase the effects of these other drugs and make drowsiness or dizziness worse.
What are the possible side effects of methadone?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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difficulty breathing;
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hallucinations or confusion;
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swelling of your ankles or feet;
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urinating less than usual;
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chest pain; or
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feeling light-headed, fainting.
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
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feeling anxious, nervous, or restless;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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dizziness or drowsiness;
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nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
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loss of appetite;
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dry mouth;
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constipation;
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weakness; or
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect methadone?
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Do not use methadone with any of the following drugs without first talking to your doctor:
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
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valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene); or
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); or
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a narcotic pain reliever such as buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutex), butorphanol (Stadol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine), dezocine (Dalgan), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Roxanol), naltrexone (ReVia), nalbuphine (Nubain), nalmefene (Revex), naloxone (Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, Percocet), oxymorphone (Numorphan), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), and others.
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If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use methadone, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
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Do not use any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, or pain while taking methadone without first talking to your doctor. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
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There may be other drugs not listed that can affect methadone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about methadone written for health professionals that you may read.