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