Methadone is part of a category called opioids. It was created by German doctors during World War II. When it arrived in the United States, it was used to treat people with extreme pain. Today, your doctor may use it as part of your treatment for an addiction to heroin or narcotic painkillers.
Uses and Side Effects
While there’s no set amount of time you’ll take methadone to treat an addiction, experts say it should be at least a year, and maybe more than that. The doctor will carefully track your body’s response to it and adjust your treatment. When it’s time to stop taking it, he’ll help you stop slowly to prevent withdrawal.
With short-term use, you may notice:
- Restlessness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slow breathing
- Itchy skin
- Heavy sweating
- Constipation
- Sexual problems
- Some side effects are more serious. Call the doctor if you:
- Have trouble breathing or can only take shallow breaths
- Feel lightheaded or faint
- Get hives or a rash
- Have swollen lips, tongue, throat, or face
- Have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat
- Have hallucinations or feel confused
If you use the drug for a long time, it might lead to lung and breathing problems. It can also change a woman’s menstrual cycle. If you get pregnant, talk to your doctor about changing your dose. It can cause complications.
What Are the Risks?
Some people shouldn’t take methadone. Tell your doctor if you have:
- Heart disease
- A heart rhythm disorder
- An electrolyte imbalance
- Breathing problems or lung disease
- A history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures
- Liver or kidney disease
- Problems urinating
- Gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems
- A condition for which you take sedatives
Drugs than can affect methadone include:
Other narcotics
Drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing
Drugs that change your serotonin level
You can become dependent on it. Your brain may begin to rely on the pain relief it brings.
Even though the effects are milder than other opioids, your body can still adapt to it. This means that you’ll need to take more to feel the same relief from pain or withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to abuse and addiction. Your doctor will call this tolerance.
No two people react the same to methadone. Your doctor calculates the dose that’s right for you. Changing it can lead to dangerous side effects or an overdose.
Overdose symptoms can include:
- Slow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Severe drowsiness
- Weak muscles
- Cold, clammy skin
- Small pupils
- Fainting
If you are taking this medication to treat moderate to severe pain, take it on a regular schedule as directed by your doctor, not as needed for sudden (breakthrough) pain.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Stopping methadone maintenance treatment has a high risk of return to opioid abuse. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
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