Methadone is used as both a painkiller when morphine is not appropriate and as a means to help transition drug addicts off of the street drug heroin, according to Patient UK. While it's clinically helpful, methadone is itself an addictive substance. After a course of methadone treatment it will be necessary to go through methadone detox, or withdrawal, which has its own specific signs and symptoms.
Muscle Aches and Pains
One of the initial symptoms of a methadone detox can be felt in the muscles. According to Medline Plus, muscle aches and pains are an early symptom of methadone withdrawal. Sometimes this is mistaken for symptoms of the flu, and it will begin within 12 to 30 hours of the last dosage of methadone. Moderating the rate of the methadone detox through slowly tapering off the drug can minimize some of these symptoms or at least make them more tolerable.
Sweating
Some patients undergoing a methadone detox may experience sweating, according to California Narconon. This is not considered a serious symptom of methadone detox, but the medication clonidine may help alleviate heavy sweating.
Anxiety
According to the University of Maryland, methadone use can result in psychological dependence. Thus, a sign of methadone detox is a change in mood, which may result in feelings of anxiety. The University of Maryland notes that patients who are using L-alpha-acetyl-methadol as a transition medication to replace their methadone may be more anxious than other methadone users.
Insomnia
Methadone detox also commonly causes insomnia, which is one of the early symptoms of methadone withdrawal. Sleeping pills may help alleviate the symptoms of insomnia, but any medication added should be discussed with a doctor regarding potential interactions with the methadone remaining in the system.
Stomach Upset
In the later stages of a methadone detox program, patients can expect to experience various kinds of stomach upset. According to Medline Plus, this may include stomach or abdominal cramping, feelings of nausea or vomiting. Though not fun to experience, these symptoms are not considered to be life threatening.
