According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), methadone (Diskets, Dolophine, Methadose) is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also known for relieving the symptoms of withdrawal for people addicted to opiate drugs including heroin, opium and morphine. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says when used during detoxification of a narcotic drug, methadone must be part of a treatment program that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Opiate Analgesic
The NIH says methadone is included in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. Its pain management effects work by altering the way in which the brain and nervous system react to pain. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says methadone is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that works similarly to morphine.
Usage
Methadone comes in both tablet and liquid form as well as in a tablet that can be dissolved in liquid. When used as a pain reliever, a dosage is generally taken every four to 12 hours. When methadone is prescribed as a part of a opiate withdrawal program, your doctor will plan a dosing schedule that most sufficiently fits your individual needs. Your dosage may be changed as your treatment progresses and you require less medication.
Side Effects
Methadone can cause a number of unpleasant side effects. They include weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth and loss of appetite. Some of the other common adverse effects are constipation, difficulty urinating, sweating, swelling of the feet, legs, hands and arms, insomnia and moodiness. Contact your doctor right away if you experience hives, itching or seizures in response to methadone.
Habit Forming
The ACS says methadone is controlled substance and can be habit forming. Contact your doctor if you notice a desire to take more than the prescribed amount of medication or notice any other abnormal changes in your behavior or mood.
Overdose
Someone who has taken methadone for an extended period of time may require large doses to feel relief from pain. This same dose could be lethal for another person. The ACS says it's very important not to share your medication with another person.
Precautions
According to Drugs.com, do not abruptly stop taking methadone, or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms could result. Notify your doctor if you fail to take your medication for more than three consecutive days.
The ACS says do not drink alcohol or take sedatives, muscle relaxers and sleeping medicines unless prescribed by your doctor. Methadone affects the central nervous system, and these substances may slow it down
Methadone interacts with a number of medications, including antidepressants (sertraline, fluvoxamine) and heart and blood pressure drugs (verapamil and diltiazem).
