Methadone helps patients by relieving pain or treating addiction for stronger drugs by acting as a substitute drug. Doctors prescribe it in tablet, dissolving tablet and liquid solution form. Patients take methadone doses every several hours and doctors may slowly decrease the dosage as treatment continues. Methadone is a narcotic and part of the opioid family designed to act similar to natural opium-containing substances produced in the brain.
Pain Relief
Methadone acts similarly to morphine and mimics the effects of endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, to treat moderate to severe pain, Netdoctor explains. The drug changes the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain, MedlinePlus explains. Doctors often prescribe methadone when weaker pain relievers do not work successfully on patients.
Habit-Forming
People taking methadone to relieve pain use the drug on a strict schedule. When patients are prescribed the drug for home use, doctors may advise that methadone be administered by a caregiver to avoid abuse and addiction to the substance, Drug.com notes. However, methadone does not have the addictive qualities of other opioids and has been used successfully in drug addiction detoxification programs. Recovering addicts do not get the "high" associated with other drugs, including heroin, which is why methadone is often used to help wean addicts addicts off heroin. Although methadone can become physically addictive, it does not create the euphoria of heroin and is less psychologically addictive. Methadone works by preventing the physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when other drugs are stopped. Doctors slowly reduce the dosage of methadone with the hope off getting patients off drugs completely.
Cough Suppressant
Methadone works as a suppressant for dry cough found in patients with chronic diseases such as lung cancer, according to Netdoctor. The drug blocks the cough reflex from lung irritation by decreasing nerve signals from the brain that produce the cough.
Side Effects
As with many medications that relieve pain, methadone may have side effects. Symptoms include weakness or drowsiness, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, dry mouth, nausea, weight gain, stomach pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or sexual dysfunction. Mood changes, vision problems and swelling of the extremities may occur. Doctors can treat symptoms that become severe or will not go away for some patients, MedlinePlus notes. Serious side effects, however, need immediate medical attention and include rash, hives, itching, shallow breathing, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, confusion, hallucinations and seizures.
