dangers of methadone treatment
(meh THAH dohn)
Dolophine, Methadose
What is the most important information I should know about methadone?
• When methadone is used as part of a treatment program for narcotic addictionmaintenance or detoxification, it must be dispensed by a specially approvedpharmacy dangers of methadone treatment.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities dangers of methadone treatment. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness dangers of methadone treatment. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities dangers of methadone treatment.
What is methadone?
• Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine dangers of methadone treatment. Methadonealso reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcoticdrugs without causing the '"high" associated with the drug addiction dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxificationand maintenance programs dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone may also be used for purposes other than those listed here dangers of methadone treatment.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methadone?
• Before taking methadone, talk to your doctor if you have
· kidney disease;
· liver disease;
· asthma, lung disease, or breathing problems;
· an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;
· hypothyroidism;
· seizures or epilepsy;
· a head injury or brain tumor; or
· Addison's disease dangers of methadone treatment.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arepregnant or could become pregnant during treatment dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby dangers of methadone treatment.
How should I take methadone?
• Take methadone exactly as directed by your doctor dangers of methadone treatment. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you dangers of methadone treatment.
• When methadone is used as part of a treatment program for narcotic addictionmaintenance or detoxification, it must be dispensed by a specially approvedpharmacy dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone is available as tablets, liquid for oral administration, andas an injection dangers of methadone treatment. Oral forms of methadone must never be injected dangers of methadone treatment.
• Take the oral tablets with a full glass of water dangers of methadone treatment.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid with a dose-measuringspoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table spoon dangers of methadone treatment. If you do not have a dose-measuringdevice, ask your pharmacist where you can get one dangers of methadone treatment.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend that methadone be administeredby a family member, friend, or healthcare provider to ensure compliance withthe treatment dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed dangers of methadone treatment. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider dangers of methadone treatment.
• It is important to take methadone regularly to get the most benefit dangers of methadone treatment.
• Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended duringtreatment with methadone dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone may be habit forming dangers of methadone treatment. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment dangers of methadone treatment. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis dangers of methadone treatment. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose dangers of methadone treatment.
• Store methadone at room temperature away from moisture and heat dangers of methadone treatment.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember dangers of methadone treatment. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose dangers of methadone treatment. Do not take a double dose of the medication dangers of methadone treatment.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of methadone is suspected dangers of methadone treatment.
• Symptoms of a methadone overdose may include shallow or decreased breathing,slow heart rate, small pupils, cold, clammy skin, coma, and death dangers of methadone treatment.
What should I avoid while using methadone?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities dangers of methadone treatment. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness dangers of methadone treatment. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat acold, cough, or pain while taking methadone without first talking to your doctor dangers of methadone treatment. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking methadone dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed dangers of methadone treatment. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider dangers of methadone treatment.
What are the possible side effects of methadone?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingmethadone and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· difficulty breathing;
· hallucinations or confusion;
· chest pain;
· fainting; or
· loss of consciousness dangers of methadone treatment.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur dangers of methadone treatment. Continueto take methadone and talk to your doctor if you experience
· anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness;
· dizziness or lightheadedness;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· drowsiness;
· decreased appetite;
· dry mouth;
· constipation;
· weakness; or
· sexual problems dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone may be habit forming dangers of methadone treatment. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment dangers of methadone treatment. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis dangers of methadone treatment. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose dangers of methadone treatment.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur dangers of methadone treatment. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome dangers of methadone treatment.
What other drugs will affect methadone?
• Do not take methadone with any of the following drugs without first talkingto your doctor:
· a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate);
· rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); or
· a narcotic pain reliever such as buprenorphine (Buprenex, Subutrex),codeine (Tylenol with Codeine, others), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin,Vicoprofen, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran),meperidine (Demerol), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, OMS, Roxanol, OramorphSR, others), oxycodone (M-Oxy, OxyContin, OxyIR, Roxicodone, Percocet, Percodan,others), oxymorphone (Numorphan), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet, others), andothers dangers of methadone treatment.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment dangers of methadone treatment.
• Methadone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsinessor dizziness, including antidepressants, alcohol, sedatives (used to treat insomnia),pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and antihistamines dangers of methadone treatment. Donot drink alcohol and do not take any medicine without first talking to yourdoctor while taking methadone dangers of methadone treatment.
• Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter medicine to treat acold, cough, or pain while taking methadone without first talking to your doctor dangers of methadone treatment. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol dangers of methadone treatment.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methadone dangers of methadone treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any other prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products dangers of methadone treatment.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about methadone written forhealth professionals that you may read dangers of methadone treatment.
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