Has your doctor prescribed you methadone pills because you have severe, long-term pain or because you can't tolerate other painkillers? Or are you using this medication to help you overcome your opioid addiction? Whatever the reason, this medication is very powerful, so it's important to be aware of it and use it safely. So let's talk about it simply and politely today.
What exactly is Methadone?
Simply put, methadone is a medication used for two main things.
1. Control severe, chronic pain: Doctors prescribe this for severe, long-lasting pain that cannot be controlled with regular painkillers. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
2. As a treatment for opioid addiction: This medication helps reduce physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings for drugs when someone is addicted to opioids, such as heroin. However, this treatment is most effective when combined with counseling and behavioral therapy .
Methadone is a drug that belongs to the class of drugs called opioids.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
For your safety, it is very important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before starting methadone. This is very important.
| Type of conditions | What you need to inform |
|---|---|
| Brain-related problems | Conditions such as a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures. |
| Heart disease | Any type of heart disease or heartbeat abnormalities. |
| Respiratory system problems | Asthma, lung disease, or breathing difficulties. |
| Other health problems | Liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, low adrenal gland function, low blood pressure, intestinal problems. |
| Lifestyle and other medications | Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly, are addicted to other drugs or medications, have a mental illness, or have taken an MAOI antidepressant (e.g., Parnate) within the past two weeks. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to methadone, other opioid painkillers, other medications, foods, or preservatives. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
The medicine should be used in the right way.
Take this medicine with a glass of water. If you experience stomach upset, take it with a meal or a glass of milk. The most important thing is to take the dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
Overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine by mistake, do not delay and call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This could be a life-saving measure.
You will receive a special information leaflet (`MedGuide`) about your medicine when you are given it. Always read it carefully.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to anyone else for any reason. It is very dangerous and illegal.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Interactions with other drugs
Methadone can interact with many other medications. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
In particular, you should avoid taking methadone with the following medications:
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g., ketoconazole)
- Some medications used to treat heart rhythm disorders (e.g. quinidine, dronedarone)
- Medicines like `Cisapride`, `Pimozide`, `Thioridazine`
In addition to this list, methadone can interact with many other medications (e.g., antidepressants, sleeping pills, HIV/AIDS medications, and some antibiotics). Therefore, it is important to give your doctor a complete explanation.
Things to consider when taking Methadone
Don't stop taking the medicine suddenly!
Your body gets used to this medicine. Therefore, if you stop taking it suddenly, you may have a severe reaction. If you need to stop taking the medicine, do so only under medical advice, and only by gradually reducing the dose .
Drowsiness and driving
This medicine may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, and affect your ability to make decisions. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This risk is increased if you take this medicine with alcohol.
Be aware of Naloxone
Naloxone is an emergency treatment given to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Symptoms of an overdose include very slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, and inability to wake up. Telling your family and loved ones about these symptoms, as well as where Naloxone is and how to use it, can be life-saving. After giving Naloxone, you should call an ambulance immediately.
Other important points
- Constipation: Constipation is common with this medication. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, talk to your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, and drinking plenty of water can help.
- Pregnancy: Talk to your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Taking this medicine during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in your baby.
Side effects of the medicine
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, feeling faint, difficulty staying awake. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, feeling faint, blurred vision. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Dry mouth |
| Dizziness | Headache |
| Drowsiness | Nausea or vomiting |
How to keep medicine safe?
This is a very potent medicine , so keep it in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . Since this medicine has the potential for abuse, keep it in a place that can be protected from theft.
It is important to dispose of unused or expired medicines properly. Hand them over to an official disposal site. If this is not possible, flush them down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Always take methadone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never take more than the recommended dose.
- Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason. It is very dangerous and illegal.
- Give your doctor a complete list of all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without medical advice.
- Be aware of the symptoms of an overdose and inform your family about Naloxone to use if necessary.
- If you take too much medicine by mistake, immediately go to the National Poisons Information Centre or the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
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