Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs, and it can also be used as a pain reliever. Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings without causing the "high" associated with drug addiction. Methadone is a highly regulated medication (Schedule 2 Controlled Substances Act) and, when used for OUD, it is only available through approved opioid treatment programs (OTP) that involve regular monitoring, counseling, and drug testing to make sure that patients are making progress in their recovery. Methadone is used for severe and persistent pain that can not be treated effectively with other pain medications, including immediate-release opioids. Methadone works by activating the opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. It is usually taken orally as a liquid or tablet.

Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs, and it can also be used as a pain reliever. Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings without causing the "high" associated with drug addiction. Methadone is a highly regulated medication (Schedule 2 Controlled Substances Act) and, when used for OUD, it is only available through approved opioid treatment programs (OTP) that involve regular monitoring, counseling, and drug testing to make sure that patients are making progress in their recovery. Methadone is used for severe and persistent pain that can not be treated effectively with other pain medications, including immediate-release opioids. Methadone works by activating the opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. It is usually taken orally as a liquid or tablet.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to it, or if you have: severe asthma or breathing problems; or a blockage in your stomach or intestines. This medicine may cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Your heart function may need to be checked during treatment. To make sure methadone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart problems, long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); breathing problems, sleep apnea ; a head injury , brain tumor , or seizures ; drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness; liver or kidney disease; urination problems; or problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice your pain getting worse. If your pain gets worse after you take methadone hydrochloride tablets, do not take more methadone hydrochloride tablets without first talking to your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider if the pain that you have increases, if you feel more sensitive to pain, or if you have new pain after taking methadone hydrochloride tablets.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to methadone : hives ; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Get emergency help or call 911 right away if you take too many methadone hydrochloride tablets (overdose). When you first start taking methadone hydrochloride tablets, when your dose is changed, or if you take too much (overdose), serious or life-threatening breathing problems that can lead to death may occur. Ask your healthcare provider about medicines like naloxone or nalmefene that can be used in an emergency to reverse an opioid overdose, a medicine for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. Taking methadone hydrochloride tablets with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Methadone-associated hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) has been reported in patients using this medicine, some resulting in hospitalization. In many cases, patients had predisposing risk factors such as diabetes. Never give anyone else your methadone hydrochloride tablets. They could die from taking it. Selling or giving away methadone hydrochloride tablets is against the law. Store methadone hydrochloride tablets securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home.

Get emergency help or call 911 right away if you take too many methadone hydrochloride tablets (overdose). When you first start taking methadone hydrochloride tablets, when your dose is changed, or if you take too much (overdose), serious or life-threatening breathing problems that can lead to death may occur. Ask your healthcare provider about medicines like naloxone or nalmefene that can be used in an emergency to reverse an opioid overdose, a medicine for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. Taking methadone hydrochloride tablets with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Methadone-associated hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) has been reported in patients using this medicine, some resulting in hospitalization. In many cases, patients had predisposing risk factors such as diabetes. Never give anyone else your methadone hydrochloride tablets. They could die from taking it. Selling or giving away methadone hydrochloride tablets is against the law. Store methadone hydrochloride tablets securely, out of sight and reach of children, and in a location not accessible by others, including visitors to the home.

0.035 to 0.142 mg/kg (0.088 (0.0885)) 8 hourly PO — -

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

You may have a fatal methadone overdose if you start or stop using certain other medicines. Tell your doctor about all your medications. Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with opioid medicine. Tell your doctor if you also use: medicine for allergies , asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness , irritable bowel, or overactive bladder ; other opioid medicines; a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium , Klonopin , or Xanax ; sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy; or drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants , stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease . This list is not complete. Many drugs may affect methadone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Tab, Inj Store Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight, Moisture and Heat.