withdrawal methadone tapering dose

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 withdrawal methadone tapering dose.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities withdrawal methadone tapering dose. Methadone may cause dizziness or drowsiness withdrawal methadone tapering dose. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities withdrawal methadone tapering dose.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about methadone written forhealth professionals that you may read withdrawal methadone tapering dose.

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