detox of methadone
(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 detox of methadone.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities detox of methadone. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness detox of methadone. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities detox of methadone.
What is methadone?
• Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine detox of methadone. Methadonealso reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcoticdrugs without causing the '"high" associated with the drug addiction detox of methadone.
• Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxificationand maintenance programs detox of methadone.
• Methadone may also be used for purposes other than those listed here detox of methadone.
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 detox of methadone.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment detox of methadone.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arepregnant or could become pregnant during treatment detox of methadone.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby detox of methadone.
How should I take methadone?
• Take methadone exactly as directed by your doctor detox of methadone. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you detox of methadone.
• When methadone is used as part of a treatment program for narcotic addictionmaintenance or detoxification, it must be dispensed by a specially approvedpharmacy detox of methadone.
• Methadone is available as tablets, liquid for oral administration, andas an injection detox of methadone. Oral forms of methadone must never be injected detox of methadone.
• Take the oral tablets with a full glass of water detox of methadone.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid with a dose-measuringspoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table spoon detox of methadone. If you do not have a dose-measuringdevice, ask your pharmacist where you can get one detox of methadone.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend that methadone be administeredby a family member, friend, or healthcare provider to ensure compliance withthe treatment detox of methadone.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed detox of methadone. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider detox of methadone.
• It is important to take methadone regularly to get the most benefit detox of methadone.
• Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended duringtreatment with methadone detox of methadone.
• Methadone may be habit forming detox of methadone. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment detox of methadone. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis detox of methadone. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose detox of methadone.
• Store methadone at room temperature away from moisture and heat detox of methadone.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember detox of methadone. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose detox of methadone. Do not take a double dose of the medication detox of methadone.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of methadone is suspected detox of methadone.
• Symptoms of a methadone overdose may include shallow or decreased breathing,slow heart rate, small pupils, cold, clammy skin, coma, and death detox of methadone.
What should I avoid while using methadone?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities detox of methadone. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness detox of methadone. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities detox of methadone.
• 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 detox of methadone. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol detox of methadone.
• Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking methadone detox of methadone.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed detox of methadone. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider detox of methadone.
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 detox of methadone.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur detox of methadone. 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 detox of methadone.
• Methadone may be habit forming detox of methadone. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment detox of methadone. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis detox of methadone. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose detox of methadone.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur detox of methadone. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome detox of methadone.
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 detox of methadone.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment detox of methadone.
• 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 detox of methadone. Donot drink alcohol and do not take any medicine without first talking to yourdoctor while taking methadone detox of methadone.
• 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 detox of methadone. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol detox of methadone.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methadone detox of methadone. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any other prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products detox of methadone.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about methadone written forhealth professionals that you may read detox of methadone.
|
