|
What is methadone
 Methadone
is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. Methadone
also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin
or other narcotic drugs without causing the '"high"
associated with the drug addiction.
Methadone
is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification
and maintenance programs.
Methadone
may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
General medical information about methadone
When methadone is used as part of a treatment program
for narcotic addiction maintenance or detoxification, it
must be dispensed by a specially approved pharmacy.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Methadone may cause dizziness
or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness,
avoid these activities.
What you should find out before taking methadone Before taking methadone, talk to your doctor if you
have
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
-
asthma, lung disease, or breathing problems;
- an
enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
- hypothyroidism;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- a head injury or
brain tumor; or
- Addison's disease.
You may
not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Do not take methadone without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take methadone Take methadone exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
When methadone
is used as part of a treatment program for narcotic addiction
maintenance or detoxification, it must be dispensed by a
specially approved pharmacy.
Methadone is available
as tablets, liquid for oral administration, and as an injection.
Oral forms of methadone must never be injected.
Take
the oral tablets with a full glass of water.
To ensure
that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid with a dose-measuring
spoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you
do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
where you can get one.
Your healthcare provider may
recommend that methadone be administered by a family member,
friend, or healthcare provider to ensure compliance with
the treatment.
Do not take more methadone than is
prescribed. If you symptoms are not being adequately treated,
contact your healthcare provider.
It is important
to take methadone regularly to get the most benefit.
Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be
recommended during treatment with methadone.
Methadone
may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence
can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication
is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.
Do not stop taking methadone suddenly without first talking
to your doctor if you have been taking it on a regular basis.
Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the
dose.
Store methadone at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of the medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of
methadone is suspected.
Symptoms of a methadone overdose
may include shallow or decreased breathing, slow heart rate,
small pupils, cold, clammy skin, coma, and death.
What should you avoid while using methadone Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Methadone may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Do not take any
prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold,
cough, or pain while taking methadone without first talking
to your doctor. These medicines may contain narcotics or
alcohol.
Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while
taking methadone.
Do not take more methadone than
is prescribed. If you symptoms are not being adequately
treated, contact your healthcare provider.
Possible side effects of methadone If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking methadone and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- difficulty breathing;
- hallucinations or
confusion;
- chest pain;
- fainting; or
-
loss of consciousness.
Other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur. Continue to take methadone
and talk to your doctor if you experience
- anxiety,
nervousness, or restlessness;
- dizziness or lightheadedness;
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- drowsiness;
- decreased appetite;
- dry mouth;
-
constipation;
- weakness; or
- sexual problems.
Methadone may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological
dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible
if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or
high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking methadone suddenly
without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking
it on a regular basis. Your healthcare provider may want
to gradually reduce the dose.
Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect methadone Do not take methadone with any of the following drugs
without first talking to your doctor:
- a monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); or
- a narcotic pain
reliever such as buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutrex), codeine
(Tylenol with Codeine, others), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab,
Vicodin, Vicoprofen, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid),
levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), morphine
(Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, OMS, Roxanol, Oramorph SR, others),
oxycodone (M-Oxy, OxyContin, OxyIR, Roxicodone, Percocet,
Percodan, others), oxymorphone (Numorphan), propoxyphene
(Darvon, Darvocet, others), and others.
You may not
be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment.
Methadone
may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness
or dizziness, including antidepressants, alcohol, sedatives
(used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines,
muscle relaxants, and antihistamines. Do not drink alcohol
and do not take any medicine without first talking to your
doctor while taking methadone.
Do not take any prescription
or over-the-counter medicine to treat a cold, cough, or
pain while taking methadone without first talking to your
doctor. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with methadone.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any other prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
