side effect of methadone for pain

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 side effect of methadone for pain.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities side effect of methadone for pain. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness side effect of methadone for pain. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities side effect of methadone for pain.

What is methadone?
• Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine side effect of methadone for pain. Methadonealso reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcoticdrugs without causing the '"high" associated with the drug addiction side effect of methadone for pain.
• Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxificationand maintenance programs side effect of methadone for pain.
• Methadone may also be used for purposes other than those listed here side effect of methadone for pain.

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 side effect of methadone for pain.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment side effect of methadone for pain.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arepregnant or could become pregnant during treatment side effect of methadone for pain.
• Do not take methadone without first talking to your doctor if you arebreast-feeding a baby side effect of methadone for pain.

How should I take methadone?
• Take methadone exactly as directed by your doctor side effect of methadone for pain. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you side effect of methadone for pain.
• When methadone is used as part of a treatment program for narcotic addictionmaintenance or detoxification, it must be dispensed by a specially approvedpharmacy side effect of methadone for pain.
• Methadone is available as tablets, liquid for oral administration, andas an injection side effect of methadone for pain. Oral forms of methadone must never be injected side effect of methadone for pain.
• Take the oral tablets with a full glass of water side effect of methadone for pain.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid with a dose-measuringspoon, dropper, or cup, not a regular table spoon side effect of methadone for pain. If you do not have a dose-measuringdevice, ask your pharmacist where you can get one side effect of methadone for pain.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend that methadone be administeredby a family member, friend, or healthcare provider to ensure compliance withthe treatment side effect of methadone for pain.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed side effect of methadone for pain. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider side effect of methadone for pain.
• It is important to take methadone regularly to get the most benefit side effect of methadone for pain.
• Additional forms of counseling and/or monitoring may be recommended duringtreatment with methadone side effect of methadone for pain.
• Methadone may be habit forming side effect of methadone for pain. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment side effect of methadone for pain. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis side effect of methadone for pain. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose side effect of methadone for pain.
• Store methadone at room temperature away from moisture and heat side effect of methadone for pain.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember side effect of methadone for pain. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose side effect of methadone for pain. Do not take a double dose of the medication side effect of methadone for pain.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of methadone is suspected side effect of methadone for pain.
• Symptoms of a methadone overdose may include shallow or decreased breathing,slow heart rate, small pupils, cold, clammy skin, coma, and death side effect of methadone for pain.

What should I avoid while using methadone?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities side effect of methadone for pain. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness side effect of methadone for pain. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities side effect of methadone for pain.
• 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 side effect of methadone for pain. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol side effect of methadone for pain.
• Do not use narcotic drugs or alcohol while taking methadone side effect of methadone for pain.
• Do not take more methadone than is prescribed side effect of methadone for pain. If you symptoms are notbeing adequately treated, contact your healthcare provider side effect of methadone for pain.

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 side effect of methadone for pain.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur side effect of methadone for pain. 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 side effect of methadone for pain.
• Methadone may be habit forming side effect of methadone for pain. Physical and/or psychological dependencecan occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stoppedsuddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment side effect of methadone for pain. Do not stop taking methadonesuddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it ona regular basis side effect of methadone for pain. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose side effect of methadone for pain.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur side effect of methadone for pain. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome side effect of methadone for pain.

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 side effect of methadone for pain.
• You may not be able to take methadone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment side effect of methadone for pain.
• 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 side effect of methadone for pain. Donot drink alcohol and do not take any medicine without first talking to yourdoctor while taking methadone side effect of methadone for pain.
• 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 side effect of methadone for pain. These medicines may contain narcotics or alcohol side effect of methadone for pain.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methadone side effect of methadone for pain. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any other prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products side effect of methadone for pain.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about methadone written forhealth professionals that you may read side effect of methadone for pain.

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