Methadone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Methadone?

What is Methadone for?

Methadone is a pain reliever drug that works to reduce moderate to severe pain. For example, to relieve pain due to cancer or after surgery.

Methadone is a narcotic analgesic class drug, which is better known as an opioid drug. Opioid drugs are made from poppy plants such as morphine (Kadian, Ms Contin) or synthesized in laboratories such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic).

This drug works by opioid receptors on the cells of the brain, spinal cord, and other organs involved in pain and pleasure. By taking this medication, the body's cells will release signals that reduce pain and release large amounts of dopamine throughout the body. This dopamine helps create a feeling of pleasure so that the pain will be temporarily relieved

Doctors can also prescribe this drug to treat patients who are addicted to narcotic drugs such as heroin. This is because Methadone can help prevent withdrawal symptoms due to withdrawal of narcotic drugs.

How to use Methadone?

Methadone is a strong drug. therefore, the use of this drug must be closely monitored by a doctor. Here are some rules for using Methadone drugs that you need to pay attention to:

Take the medicine according to the dosage

Ask your doctor when to take this medicine, either before or after meals. Make sure that you are taking the drug according to the dosage or dosage recommended by your doctor.

Don't destroy the medicine

Avoid crushing, grinding, or chewing the medicine as this can reduce its effectiveness and prevent dangerous side effects. We recommend that you late the whole drug with a glass of water.

Use a measuring spoon

If the doctor prescribes a medicine in the form of a syrup, use a measuring spoon that is in the product package. So, not a regular tablespoon. If a measuring spoon is not available, ask the pharmacist or doctor to find out the exact dose.

Use regularly

Take this medicine regularly for the best benefits. So that you don't forget, take this medicine at the same time every day. If at any time you forget to take this medicine and the next interval for consumption is still far away, it is advisable to do so as soon as you remember. Meanwhile, if the time lag is near, ignore it and don't try to double the dose.

Watch the dosage

It is not recommended that you increase or decrease the dosage of the drug on your own as it can affect its performance in the body. The dosage of the drug may vary from person to person. That is why, do not give this medicine to other people even though they have symptoms similar to yours.

Be aware of the side effects

This medicine can cause withdrawal reactions, especially if this medicine has been used regularly for a long time or at high doses. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watery eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches) may occur if you stop using this medicine suddenly.

To prevent this reaction, your doctor may reduce the dose slowly. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more detailed information, and tell your doctor immediately if you experience this condition.

This drug can also (although rarely) cause addiction. The risk is increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs before. Use this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of dependence.

Consult a doctor

We recommend that you go to a doctor immediately if your condition is not getting better or is getting worse. Your doctor may prescribe other more potent and safer drugs to help control your disease. Remember, the sooner it is treated, the easier the treatment will be.

Basically, take any type of medication as prescribed by your doctor or stated on the product packaging label. Don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist or doctor directly if you don't really understand the rules for using this drug.

How to store Methadone?

Methadone is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep this medication away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Methadone dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Methadone for adults?

To reduce moderate to severe pain, drug doses may range from 2.5 milligrams (mg) to 10 mg, taken every 8-12 hours as needed. The drug can also be given by injection into a vein or muscle at a dose of 2.5 mg to 10 mg, used every 8-12 hours.

In cases of opioid dependence, doses can be given as much as 20 to 120 mg per day.

Each person will probably get a different dose. The dosage is usually given based on the health condition and the patient's response to treatment.

Your doctor may change the dose of your medication to make sure you are getting the right dose. You still have to take the medicine as prescribed even though the doctor changes the dose of the drug several times.

Make sure not to take more or less of the drug than recommended. Apart from decreasing the effectiveness of the drug, it can also increase the side effects.

What is the dosage of Methadone for children?

The dosage of the drug in children is adjusted according to their age and body weight. Doctors will also adjust drug doses based on their health condition and response to treatment.

Please consult a doctor to find out the exact dose of this drug that is safe for children.

In what dosage is Methadone available?

Methadone is a drug that is available in tablet, powder and liquid form.

Methadone side effects

What side effects can I experience due to Methadone?

The most common side effects of using Methadone are:

• Feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Sleepy
• The body is weak, lethargic, and weak
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Low sexual arousal
• Difficulty achieving orgasm

This drug also has the potential to cause serious side effects. If you experience a number of the symptoms below, stop use immediately and seek treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital.

• Short, shallow breath
• Hallucinations or confusion
• Chest pain
• The heart was beating very fast
• Irregular heartbeat
• Feeling like flying or wanting to pass out
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) such as reddish rash on the skin, hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Methadone Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Methadone?

Some of the things you need to know before using Methadone are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Methadone or other opioid drugs. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the constituent ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements that are being used or will be routinely used. You should also tell your doctor if you are using herbal products, especially St. John's wort.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or are experiencing digestive problems, such as intestinal obstruction and parallictic ileus.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of disorders of the thyroid, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, or kidneys.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of seizures and Addison's disease.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have difficulty passing urine or an enlarged prostate.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you will be having surgery in the near future, including dental surgery.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.

When breastfeeding mothers take opioid drugs, there are small levels of opioids that will be mixed in breast milk, this mixture is thought to cause drowsiness and even slow down the baby's breathing or heart rate.

Therefore, nursing mothers should be careful when using opioid drugs. Immediately seek medical attention to the doctor if the baby is sleeping longer and soundly asleep than usual and his suction power is weak.

Also, be aware that this drug can also make you drowsy. Therefore, avoid driving a car or running a motorized vehicle until the medicinal effects wear off.

This medicine can also create when you wake up too quickly from sitting or lying down. This usually happens when you first drink it.

To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Is Methadone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Methadone can also flow into breast milk and cause respiratory problems, drug dependence, and withdrawal symptoms in babies. Therefore, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Methadone Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Methadone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Using this medication with other medicines that make you drowsy or slow your breathing may cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before using methadone with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxants, or anxiety, depression or seizure medications.

Some drugs that can trigger negative interactions with Methadone are:

• Buprenorphine
• Butorphanol
• Calcium channel blocking drugs such as carbamazepine
• Fluvoxamine
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelpar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)

There may be many other drugs that can interact with Methadone. Therefore, make sure you tell your doctor about all the medicines you are regularly taking recently. This simple thing is important to do to prevent dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Can food or alcohol interact with Methadone?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Methadone?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• History of alcohol abuse
• Brain tumor
• Respiratory or lung problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cor pulmonale, hypercapnia, hypoxia, and apnea
• History of depression
• History of drug dependence, especially abuse or dependence
• Gall bladder disease
• History of head trauma
• Heart disease such as heart hypertrophy
• History of heart rhythm problems such as arrhythmias and long QT syndrome
• Hypokalemia (low potassium level in the blood)
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood)
• Increased pressure in the head
• Stomach or intestinal disorders
• Acute or severe asthma
• Paralytic ileus (blockage of the intestine)
• Breath depression
• Hypotension (low blood pressure
• Pancreatitis
• History of seizures
• Liver disease such as cirrhosis
• Kidney illness

Methadone overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, they will usually experience typical symptoms such as:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.