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