In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published findings from a national survey on drug use, which reported that 341,000 people had been medically treated for heroin use during that year. One treatment for heroin use is prescription of the narcotic drug methadone. Treatment with methadone helps to reduce the severity of heroin withdrawal symptoms, according to MedlinePlus. Though methadone is effective in its treatment of opiate withdrawal, there are possible side effects.
Common Side Effects
According to Merck Manuals, methadone substitution is the preferred method of managing opiate (including heroin) withdrawal symptoms for patients who are addicted to opiate drugs. MedlinePlus reports that possible side effects of methadone include drowsiness, dry mouth, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulty urinating, swelling of the limbs, vision disturbances, decreased sexual desire and ability and missed periods in women.
Rare Side Effects
Drugs.com reports that some rare, but severe, side effects of methadone may occur, and they advise medical attention be sought right away if any of the following symptoms occur.
One rare side effect is an allergic reaction to methadone. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest and swelling of the mouth, lips or tongue.
Also occurring rarely are severe or long-lasting forms of the common symptoms, such as severe sweating, excessive drowsiness and extreme swelling of the limbs.
Other rare side effects are mental or mood changes, loss of appetite, disorientation, agitation and/or an exaggerated sense of well being.
Important Warning
MedlinePlus warns that methadone may cause breathing to slow or an irregular heartbeat which can potentially lead to cardiac arrest. It advises consulting a doctor immediately if these side effects are experienced: very fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; difficulty breathing and/or slow, shallow breathing; severe dizziness, confusion, or faintness.
Member Comments