A cure for drug addiction: Let's learn about Methadone Dispersible Tablets

Drug addiction is a serious problem that many people face. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings that come with trying to quit can be very difficult to deal with, right? Sometimes it feels like you can't go through this journey alone. But don't worry, there are treatments that can help.

What kind of medicine is this?

Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (Opioid Use Disorder). Simply put, it works by reducing the unpleasant physical symptoms (withdrawal symptoms) and cravings that occur when you stop using the drug. It is most effective when used in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapy . It is also a type of medication called an opioid. Sometimes this medication can also be used for other purposes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.

The name commonly used in the market is Methadose.

What should I tell the doctor before using this medicine?

If you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor about them:

• Brain tumor
• Drug abuse or addiction
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• If you are a regular drinker
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low adrenal gland function
• Low blood pressure
• Lung, asthma, or breathing problems
• Mental health disease
• Seizures
• Stomach or intestine problems
• If you have taken a medicine from the MAOI group (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) within the past 14 days
• Thyroid disease
• If you have had an unusual or allergic reaction to methadone, other opioid painkillers, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• If you are expecting or think you are pregnant
• If you are breastfeeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is to be taken by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label provided by your doctor. Check the exact number of pills needed for your dose.

These tablets should be dissolved in a glass of water, orange juice, citrus Tang, or citrus flavors of Kool-Aid. Stir well for about a minute. You may notice some of the tablet remaining in the glass. The tablet will not dissolve completely. However, you should drink all of the liquid in the glass. Do not chew the tablets or swallow them whole. The tablets should be dissolved and swallowed whole.

You can take this medicine with or without food. If you have an upset stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at the right time. Do not take more than prescribed. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.

You will receive a special medication guide (MedGuide) with every prescription you get from the pharmacy and when you get a refill. Always remember to read it carefully.

Talk to your healthcare team about giving this medicine to children, as it may require special care.

Overdosage

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Important: This medicine is for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else.

What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, take it at that time. Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What other things can interact with this medicine?

Do not take Methadone with any of the following medications:

• Some medications for fungal infections, for example itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
• Some medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, for example bepridil, bretylium, dronedarone, quinidine
• Cisapride
• Halofantrine
• Mesoridazine
• Pimozide
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Thioridazine

This medicine may interact with the following medicines. Therefore, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any of these:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds
• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Arsenic trioxide
• Atropine
• Some antibiotics, e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampin
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep
• Some medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin and tolterodine
• Some medicines for cancer, e.g. dasatinib, lapatinib
• Some medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• Some medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, such as amiodarone and sotalol
• Some medicines used for malaria, e.g. chloroquine, mefloquine
• Some medications used for migraines, such as sumatriptan
• Some medications for nausea or vomiting, such as ondansetron
• Some medications used for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin
• Some medicines for stomach upset, such as dicyclomine
• Some medications used to treat travel sickness, such as scopolamine
• Some medications for Parkinson's disease
• Fluconazole
• General anesthetics (e.g. halothane, propofol)
• Haloperidol
• Ipratropium
• Linezolid
• Local anesthetics, e.g. lidocaine
• MAOIs (MAOIs) group of medicines, e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate
• Muscle relaxants for surgery
• Methylene blue
• Octreotide
• Other medications that cause abnormal heart rhythms (prolong the QT interval), such as dofetilide, ziprasidone
• Other narcotics for pain or cough
• Peginterferon alfa-2b
• Phenothiazines, e.g. chlorpromazine
• Ranolazine
• Tacrolimus
• Vardenafil

This list does not include all possible reactions. Give your doctor a list of all the medicines, herbs, over-the-counter medicines, or dietary supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.

What are the things to be careful about when using this medicine?

See your healthcare team regularly. If you are taking this medicine for pain, if your pain does not go away, if your pain gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain, tell your doctor. If you are taking this medicine for opioid use disorder (Opioid Use Disorder), attend counseling or support groups recommended by your doctor. Do not try to counteract the effects of this medicine by taking more narcotics. This can cause serious problems, including death. Also, after you stop taking this medicine, your body may become more sensitive to even smaller amounts of narcotics.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so may cause a serious reaction. Your body will get used to the medicine. Your healthcare team will tell you how much medicine you need to take. If they think you need to stop taking it, they will gradually reduce the dose to reduce side effects.

If you are taking other medications that make you sleepy (such as other narcotic pain relievers, benzodiazepines, or other sleep medications), you may have more side effects. Give your doctor a list of all the medications you are taking. They will tell you how much to take. Do not take more than prescribed. If you have trouble breathing or feel unusually tired or sleepy, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Talk to your healthcare team about naloxone and how to get it. Naloxone is an emergency medicine given to treat an overdose of opioids. If you take too much opioid or if you take it with other things like alcohol, you may have an overdose. It is important to know the signs of an overdose. For example, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or sleepiness, or an inability to respond or wake up. Let your family and loved ones know where the naloxone medicine is. They should also know how to use it. After you have been given naloxone, you should get emergency medical treatment right away. Naloxone is a temporary treatment. You may need to take more doses.

You may feel sleepy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything that requires concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. This will reduce the chance of dizziness or fainting. Alcohol can interfere with the way this medicine works. So avoid drinking alcohol.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card with details about your illness, medications, and dosages.

This medicine may cause constipation . If you do not have a bowel movement after 3 days, call your healthcare team.

Your mouth may be dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless hard candy, and drinking plenty of water can help. If this problem persists or is severe, see your doctor.

Women should tell their healthcare team if they are planning to become pregnant or think they may be pregnant. It may cause serious side effects in an unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare team about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding while taking this medicine. This medicine can pass into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare team if you are planning to start or stop taking this medicine while you are breastfeeding, or if you are planning to stop breastfeeding.

What side effects might I experience from this medication?

You should tell your healthcare team as soon as possible if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Allergic reactions — skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) — slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, fainting, dizziness, confusion, difficulty staying awake
• Heart rhythm changes — fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing
• Low adrenal gland function — nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
• Low blood pressure — dizziness, fainting, blurred vision

Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but should be reported to the medical team if they persist or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list does not include all possible side effects. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be misused (abused). So keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Selling or giving this medicine to others is dangerous and is against the law.

Store at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed.

This medicine can be harmful or even fatal if taken by other adults, children, or pets. Return unused medicine to an official disposal site. To find one, call the DEA at 1-800-882-9539, or check with your city/state council. If you cannot return the medicine, flush it down the toilet. Do not use medicine that has passed its expiration date.

Please note: This leaflet is a summary only. It may not contain all the information. If you have any questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Finally, a few things to remember

Although methadone is an important medication that helps with drug addiction, great care must be taken when using it. Remember:

• Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Do not dissolve the tablets, chew them, or swallow them.
• Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking. This may interact with some medications.
• Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly. Reduce the dosage as your doctor tells you.
• Be aware of things like drowsiness and dizziness. Be careful when driving.
• Be aware of Naloxone. It can help save a life in the event of an overdose.
• Keep medicines in a safe place out of the reach of children.

You don't have to go through this journey alone. With the help of your medical team, counselors, and family, you can get through this. Stay strong!

` Methadone, drug addiction, opioids, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, drug interactions, side effects