A single dose of 20 to 30 mg is usually used to decrease withdrawal symptoms. Lower doses should be considered in patients with low tolerance at initiation. An additional 5 to 10 mg of methadone may be provided if withdrawal symptoms have not been decreased or if symptoms reappear after 2 to 4 hours; total daily dose on the first day should not exceed 40 mg.
Your doctor will decide when and whether to change your dose. If you miss a dose of methadone, take it as soon as you remember unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol, using sedatives, or other opioid pain medications such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, or morphine , or using illegal drugs while you are taking methadone.
They may increase adverse effects e. Keep in mind that some cough syrups may contain opioid pain medication. Discuss all medications with your doctor and pharmacist prior to taking methadone. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care.
You may also contact the poison control center at You should always call after giving someone naloxone to treat an overdose. Ask your provider if prescription naloxone is right for you or your family member to have available.
Methadone causes physical dependency when taken daily for a long period of time. This means that you may have withdrawal symptoms if methadone is stopped abruptly. Talk to your provider before stopping methadone. These medications should be taken exactly as prescribed. It is very dangerous to take methadone with benzodiazepines if you do not have a prescription. Using methadone with antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and certain heart medications may increase the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms.
Your pharmacist or doctor will help you to determine if other medications you take can interfere with the effects of methadone. Patients taking methadone may develop heart-related effects that can lead to irregular heartbeats, which can cause sudden death.
Your doctor will want to ask you questions about heart disease and monitor your heart regularly during treatment. Methadone may cause serious, life-threatening, or fatal decrease in breathing.
Your doctor may monitor you closely for breathing, especially when beginning treatment with methadone or when increasing your dose. This medication has an opiate drug in it. The FDA has found that the use of opiate drugs with benzodiazepine drugs or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Benzodiazepine drugs include drugs like alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam.
Benzodiazepine drugs are used to treat health problems like anxiety, trouble sleeping, or seizures. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if they start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
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Your Journey Frontline Professionals. Mixing opioids with other drugs also increases the risk of overdose. If you or someone you know uses opioids, it is a good idea to have a free naloxone kit. Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive.
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Please agree to the Terms of Use. Even if a patient feels that they are ready to stop methadone treatment, it must be stopped gradually to prevent withdrawal. Such a decision should be supervised by a doctor. Methadone can be addictive, so it must be used exactly as prescribed.
Methadone medication is specifically tailored for the individual patient as doses are often adjusted and readjusted and is never to be shared with or given to others. Patients should share their complete health history with health providers to ensure the safe use of the medication.
Other medications may interact with methadone and cause heart conditions. Taking more methadone can cause unintentional overdose. Side effects should be taken seriously, as some of them may indicate an emergency. Patients should stop taking methadone and contact a doctor or emergency services right away if they:.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take methadone. When withdrawal from an abused drug happens to a pregnant woman, it causes the uterus to contract and may bring on miscarriage or premature birth.
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