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Overview	Photos	How To Use	Side Effects	Precautions	Missed Dose	Drug Interactions

Methadone Uses This medication is used to treat severe pain. It is also used to treat narcotic (e.g., heroin) addiction as part of an approved program. Methadone is a man-made (synthetic) opiate-type narcotic that is long-acting. It acts on certain centers in the brain. Notes Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., EKG-QTc interval) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (e.g., stimulant-type) or stool softener. Storage Store at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture in the original carton. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Overdose Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness, pinpoint pupils, cold/clammy/blue skin, muscle spasms/weakness, low body temperature, deep sleep. How To Use Read the Patient Information Leaflet that may be provided by your pharmacist before you start using methadone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.This medication may be given by injection into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin. Use it exactly as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for instructions on how to use this medication correctly. Clean the injection site properly before use. If this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin, it is important to change the location of the injection site to avoid developing problem areas under the skin.Use this medication every 8 to 12 hours or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, use of other pain relievers, and response to therapy.Before using this product, check it visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist for more details.If nausea occurs, consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease it (e.g., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with as little head movement as possible).The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.If you are taking this medication for pain, remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medication may not work as well.Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval.This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended period of time, or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur. When stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Such reactions can include weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, headaches, diarrhea, restlessness, widened pupils, watering eyes, body aches, cold sweats, and hot/cold flashes. Withdrawal symptoms may take three to four days to develop, may worsen over the first week, and may last for two weeks. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately.If you are taking this drug for narcotic addiction, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose. Be sure to follow your doctor's dosing instructions closely. People who are physically dependent on narcotics will experience withdrawal symptoms if given the usual dose of a narcotic blocker (e.g., naloxone). The seriousness of withdrawal symptoms is related to the level of dependence and dose of the narcotic blocker. If possible, these people should not receive narcotic blockers.Withdrawal symptoms may also be caused by using certain narcotics (e.g., pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine) after using methadone. If you are using any of these medications, tell your doctor immediately if you develop withdrawal symptoms.Although it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit-forming). Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Side Effects Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, stomach upset, blurred vision, flushing, or increased sweating may occur. Pain or redness at the injection site may also occur if this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., unusual elevated mood, agitation, depression), hallucinations, difficulty urinating, shaking (tremor), confusion.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Precautions Before taking methadone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.g., respiratory depression, hypercapnia), diarrhea due to infection (e.g., Clostridium difficile colitis), stomach/abdominal problems of unknown cause, paralyzed gut (paralytic ileus).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate, urethral stricture), alcohol use, drug dependency, lung disease (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), head injury, low blood pressure (hypotension), dehydration, seizures, heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, recent heart attack), heart rhythm problems (e.g., bradycardia, history of QTc prolongation), mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression), certain mineral imbalances (low magnesium or potassium blood levels), gallbladder disease, overactive or underactive thyroid, a certain endocrine disease (Addison's disease), severe headaches or changes in vision.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase the risk of this drug's side effects.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially the decreased breathing and drowsiness effects.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Pregnant women in a methadone maintenance program should inform all their doctors that they are taking this medication. Infants born to mothers who take this medication regularly may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Missed Dose If you are prescribed this drug on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. Drug Interactions Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: narcotic antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, naloxone), drugs which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolonging drugs such as bepridil, droperidol, halofantrine, mesoridazine, pimozide, sertindole, sparfloxacin).If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting methadone.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: amphetamines, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove methadone from your body (such as azole antifungals-including itraconazole, cimetidine, efavirenz, fluvoxamine, macrolide antibiotics-including erythromycin, nevirapine, protease inhibitors-including ritonavir, rifamycins-including rifampin, St. Johns wort, certain anti-seizure medicines including phenytoin), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), certain nucleoside analogues (e.g., didanosine, stavudine, zidovudine), certain pain medications (narcotic agonist/antagonists such as butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine), water pills (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).Other drugs besides methadone which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include amiodarone, dofetilide, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol, among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and for instructions on how you may minimize the risk of this effect.Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: anesthesia drugs, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), muscle relaxants, other narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline and desipramine), tranquilizers.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Share and Enjoy!

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.