Methadone
General English name: Methadone
Brand: Metharose®, Physeptone
Application: To help quit drug addiction in adults (such as heroin addiction)
Methadone dosage forms
Methadone drug information
Dosage and method of methadone use
Contraindications to methadone
Methadone use during pregnancy and lactation
The effect of methadone on driving and working with machines
Methadone drug interactions
Side effects of methadone
Storage conditions of methadone
Methadone dosage forms
Pills, syrup
Methadone drug information
Methadone is used to quit drugs such as heroin. Methadone helps prevent or reduce the unpleasant symptoms of drug withdrawal. It is similar to heroin and works as an alternative treatment. Many people continue to use methadone for a long time after quitting heroin addiction, but others gradually reduce the dose of the drug.
The effects of methadone last longer than heroin, which is why buprenorphine is prescribed once a day to quit. You should usually be monitored by a pharmacist before starting treatment with methadone so that your doctor can tell you what dose to take daily. After a few months, you no longer need to be supervised.
Methadone also acts as a painkiller, and is sometimes used to treat severe pain if other painkillers are not effective.
Dosage and method of methadone use
- Read the package leaflet carefully before starting treatment with this medicine. This brochure will help you to get comprehensive information about the drug and its possible side effects.
- The dose and amount of methadone varies from person to person; Use the medicine exactly as your doctor advised. It is usually given as one pill a day. Of course, your doctor may prescribe a lower or higher dose of this medicine, depending on your condition and illness.
- Try to take your doses at the same time each day and at the regular hour.
- If you forget to take your daily dose at the right time but soon forget, take the medicine; But if you remember when the next dose is about an hour away, do not take the missed dose. You should not take two doses of the medicine together because of the missed dose.
Contraindications to methadone
- Pay attention to the expiration date of the methadone medicine and do not take it if the medicine in your hand has expired.
- Never give methadone to another person, even if you have the same symptoms.
- Check for drug interactions with methadone, and if you are taking a drug that interacts with this drug, talk to your doctor about using your medications.
Methadone use during pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy and lactation, you should not use the drug arbitrarily without consulting your doctor. Medications, especially strong drugs such as methadone, can have detrimental effects on the fetus or yourself.
The effect of methadone on driving and working with machines
Methadone causes dizziness and drowsiness in you and affects your ability to drive. While using this medicine, it is better to avoid driving and working with machines, and if you have special conditions, consult your doctor about driving and working with machines.
Methadone drug interactions
Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter and herbal medicines) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.
Some medications that may interact with methadone include certain painkillers (such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, naltrexone, MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, isocarboxenid, molasses), leucoprotein moclobemide), phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine).
Drugs that can affect the removal of methadone from the body and affect its function include: Azole antifungal drugs (such as ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifampins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort tablets, drugs Anti-HIV (protease inhibitors such as ritonavir) and drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine). Of course, this list is not exhaustive; So before you use methadone, make a list of all the medicines you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergies or cough and cold medicines) because some of them are made up of substances that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist how to use them so that you can use them safely.
Methadone may interfere with certain tests (including tests for amylase and lipase levels) and cause erroneous results. Ask your doctor about using this medicine before testing.
Special warnings and precautions while taking methadone
Some medications may not be prescribed under certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed; Therefore, it is best to let your doctor know the following before taking this medicine:
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.
- If you have any liver or kidney disease.
- If you have prostate problems or any problems with urination.
- If you have any respiratory problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- If you have low blood pressure.
- If you have any thyroid or adrenal problems.
- If you have epilepsy.
- If you have a bile duct problem.
- If you have had constipation for more than a week or have an inflammatory bowel problem.
- If you have a condition called myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness).
- If you have recently had a severe head injury.
- If you are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
- If you are taking other medicines. These include all available medicines, whether prescribed or used by your doctor, such as herbal medicines and supplements.
- If you are allergic to any medicine.
Side effects of methadone
All medications can cause side effects. But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. Some of the side effects go away after a short time of taking the medicine. In case of persistent side effects, the physician should be informed.
Feeling dizzy, drowsy and weak: In these situations, avoid driving and working with tools.
Feeling sick, heartburn: Eat small, spicy meals.
Dry mouth: Look for sugar-free gum.
Constipation: Drink plenty of fluids and fiber.
Urinary problems, mood swings, vomiting, hypothermia, slow heartbeat, dry eyes and restlessness: Tell your doctor if any of these things bother you.
Consult your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you feel are due to methadone use.
Methadone overdose (drug poisoning)
Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.
If you feel that someone has been poisoned and you have symptoms such as slow breathing, slow heartbeat, coma, shortness of breath, fainting and weakness (fainting), call the emergency room right away.
Storage conditions of methadone
Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.