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