Methadone belongs to a group of semi-synthetic narcotic opiates. This simply means that it is originally derived from the Asian poppy plant, but is then processed to amplify, purify and better control its effects. This pharmaceutical drug is used mainly as an analgesic, or pain killer, and to help addicts withdraw from opiates, according to MedlinePlus.
Pain Relief
According to a study conducted by John F. Manfredonia, a regional medical director at VistaCare, several of the effects caused by methadone make it an effective, relatively safe and cheap option for managing pain. This is especially true for helping patients with chronic pain at the end of their life. There are plenty of medications that have similar dulling, soothing and relaxing effects as methadone, but many of them are more addictive or have harmful or more severe side effects than methadone. One of the things that makes methadone so effective is that it remains in the body for a long time. This makes the need for treatments less frequent, and puts less strain on both the patient and the doctor's schedule. This effect, however, does not come without its share of problems: the time methadone remains in the body is mostly attributed to methadone's extremely varying half-life, or the time it takes for the substance to reduce by half inside the body; this varying half-life is known to contribute to overdoses, and may make methadone use hazardous.
Maintenance Treatment
When an opiate is introduced to the body, it travels to the brain and bonds with opiate receptors there. After prolonged use, the brain becomes used to this occurring and starts to crave more opiates. Methadone Maintenance Treatment, or MMT, is a method of using the effects of methadone to ease an addict's period of withdrawal from opiates. Methadone binds with the brain's receptors much like heroin or opium, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thereby easing the stressful sensations of opiate withdrawal. This process, however, is not merely substituting one addiction to another, as methadone is designed and administered in such a way as to reduce the euphoric and numbing effects of opiates, relieve symptoms of withdrawal and prevent intoxication.
Side Effects
MedlinePlus includes headaches, weakness, drowsiness, stomach pain, difficulty urinating, mood changes, sleep problems, vomiting and loss of appetite in a list of possible side effects caused by methadone. Some side effects can even be potentially dangerous. Anyone who experiences seizures, itching, hives, rashes, slowed breathing or irregular heartbeats while taking methadone should contact local emergency services immediately.
References
- MedlinePlus: Methadone
- "Journal of the American Osteopathic Association"; Prescribing Methadone for Pain Management in End-of-Life Care; John F. Manfredonia; March 2005
- Addiction Treatment Forum: Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Methadone Maintenance Treatment
