$Unique_ID{BRK02021}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{METHADONE}
$Subject{Dolophine (Lilly)
methadone hydrochloride (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


METHADONE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Dolophine (Lilly)
     methadone hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Analgesic
INGREDIENT:
     methadone
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, and 40 mg)
     Oral solution (5 mg and 10 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 8% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Methadone analgesic tablets and oral solution should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.

USES

     Methadone is a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) that acts directly on
the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).  It is used to relieve
moderate to severe pain.  It is also used to detoxify narcotic addicts and to
provide temporary maintenance treatment for them.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take methadone with food or
milk.  This medication works most effectively if you take it at the onset of
pain, rather than waiting until the pain becomes intense.
     Measure the dose of the solution form of this medication carefully with a
specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
accurate enough.
     If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
your next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
well-being, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, or sweating.  These
side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
anxiety, breathing difficulties, excitation, fainting, fatigue, flushing,
painful or difficult urination, palpitations, pinpoint pupils of eyes, rash,
restlessness, sore throat and fever, tremors, or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Methadone interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic
antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this
medication can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
     3. Rifampin and phenytoin can decrease the blood levels and effectiveness
of methadone.
     4 .The combination of cimetidine and this medication can cause confusion,
disorientation, and shortness of breath.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to methadone or to any other narcotic analgesic
(such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, and propoxyphene).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute
abdominal conditions, asthma, brain disease, colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or
gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart disease, kidney disease, liver
disease, lung disease, mental illness, emotional disorders, enlarged prostate
gland, thyroid disease, or urethral stricture.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Methadone has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
Usually, it should not be taken on a regular schedule for longer than ten days
(unless your doctor directs you to do so).  Tolerance develops quickly; do not
increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly unless you first consult
your doctor.  If you have been taking large amounts of this medication or if
you have been taking it for long periods of time, you may experience
withdrawal symptoms (muscle aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea,
vomiting, shivering, trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability,
weakness, excessive yawning, or sweating) when you stop taking it.  Your
doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
studied in humans.  However, regular use of methadone in large doses during
the later stages of pregnancy can result in addiction of the fetus, leading to
withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting,
diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) at birth.  Also, tell your doctor if
you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication may pass
into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
