However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. It was only in 1947 that the drug was given the generic name “methadone” by the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.
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- Even though methadone is used to treat your dependence on opioids, it is also possible to become dependent on methadone itself.
- Thus, it is advisable to refrain from using methadone in patients experiencing shock.
- Plasma levels reach steady state in about 5 days (i.e., five half-lives).
- Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
- Stop taking methadone and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the half-life of methadone can vary from 8 to 59 hours depending on the person. Sometimes, just having someone listen can make all the difference. Remember, it’s about taking it one day at a time, and soon enough, you’ll be well on your way to recovery.
Learn more about your options and find the perfect treatment center in your area
When methadone is used to relieve pain, it may be taken every 8 to 12 hours. If you take methadone as part of a treatment program, your doctor will prescribe the dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. If you have been addicted to an opiate (narcotic drug such as heroin), and you are taking methadone to help you stop taking or continue not taking the drug, you must enroll in a treatment program. The treatment program must be approved by the state and federal governments and must treat patients according to specific federal laws. You may have to take your medication at the treatment program facility under the supervision of the program staff.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Treatment
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and professional support significantly improves your chances of safe, successful withdrawal and long-term recovery. No, alcohol should be avoided completely during methadone withdrawal. It can worsen symptoms, interfere with treatment medications, and create dangerous interactions even after stopping methadone.
- However, ensure any online groups you join are moderated and promote healthy recovery practices.
- Methadone is a slower acting opioid than most other opioids, with a longer half-life.
- When the body becomes accustomed to the presence of methadone, abruptly stopping or significantly reducing the dosage can trigger a cascade of withdrawal symptoms.
Drug Interactions
Methadone works to treat pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It works to treat people who were addicted to opiate drugs by producing similar effects and preventing withdrawal symptoms in people who have stopped using these drugs. The duration a person stays on methadone varies widely depending on individual circumstances, including Halfway house the severity of opioid dependence, treatment goals, and response to the medication. Some individuals may be on methadone for a few months as part of a short-term treatment plan, while others may require years of maintenance therapy to ensure stability and prevent relapse. Ultimately, the decision is often made collaboratively between the patient and their healthcare provider. Because the withdrawal process can cause adverse symptoms, methadone users are advised to detox in a medical environment.
Dosages
At that time, the patient was depressed in the context of bereavement and was found running in the streets naked. She has not received any other psychiatric follow-up except methadone withdrawal for treatment of opioid use disorder. Psychological symptoms of methadone withdrawal include dysphoria, depression, suicide ideation, and the manifestation of psychosis 7,11.
