Street Names
Methadone, done, Meth
Brief Description
Methadone is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic. Methadone was developed in Germany during World War Two, and was first used to provide pain relief. Since the 1960s, methadone has been used to help people who are dependent on other opioid drugs such as heroin, morphine and codeine.
How is Methadone taken?
Methadone is usually prescribed as a liquid syrup which is swallowed also in tablet form.
Effects
Depending on the amount taken, the person’s experience, the size of the dose and the frequency with which it is taken, the effects and how long it will last differs for each person. It is not unusual to experience one or more of the following:
- Sweating
- Constipation
- Lowered sex drive
- Aching muscles and joints
- Itchy skin
Other effects like
- Suppression of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Can occur and can usually
be reduced by adjusting the dose?
The following side effects should not generally occur and should be reported to a doctor:
- Sedation
- Relief of pain
- Insensitivity to pain
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Narrowing of the pupils
- Impaired night vision
- Shallow breathing
Methadone, taken in pure form and regular doses as part of a treatment program, generally has no severe long-term effects on health. Methadone can make some people put on weight, probably due to fluid retention and changes in diet.
For men, methadone can lead to delayed ejaculation, particularly in higher doses. Somewomen report reduced libido or disrupted menstrual cycles, while some find their cycles returnto normal after irregularities while using heroin and other opiates. Tooth decay may be a problem, but regular cleaning and maintenance can help counteract this problem.
Dosage
Methadone in a treatment program is generally provided as syrup which is swallowed. In methadone maintenance programs, an oral methadone syrup preparation is substituted for the user's usual heroin or other opioid. Clients are given a dose of methadone every day. The size of the dose is prescribed by a doctor and determined according to the characteristics of each individual person. It is worked out so that the amount of methadone given to the user will stop them going into withdrawal for 24 hours, but will not get them 'stoned'. Normal activities and functions can generally be maintained. A flexible approach to dosage levels exists today in which the doctor prescribes the dose according to the client's needs rather than fixed program rules determining the maximum dose level. The initial daily dose is 20 to 40 mg, usually taken as a single dose. It can take from several days to some weeks for the new client to be stabilised on methadone. During this time the dose is gradually increased as tolerance develops and as the person’s symptoms and signs are carefully monitored until a maintenance dose level is achieved. The client is then usually maintained on a single daily oral dose at this level, without further increases unless other circumstances change. Some people do well on daily dose as low as 20 to 30 mg, but most are maintained in the 50 to 120 mg range. Research suggests that clients receiving daily doses greater than 60 mg are more likely to remain in treatment and to reduce or eliminate their use of illicit drugs.
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