Methadone is a drug that is used as a pain reliever or to help addicts get rid of opiates, such as heroin, detoxify and manage withdrawal symptoms. It works by altering the way the brain and nervous system react to pain, providing relief during the drug recovery process. As this is a very strong prescription medicine, it should be taken according to the doctor's instructions to the letter, to avoid developing addiction or experiencing other potentially dangerous side effects.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Take Methadone
Step 1. See your doctor
If you are interested in taking methadone to overcome an opiate addiction, make an appointment with your doctor for an interview and physical exam. In Italy there are numerous regulations that allow the administration of this drug only through the SerT, undertaking a path of recovery from drugs. For this reason, if you are admitted to the program, you will need to go to the center every 24-36 hours to receive the right dose of medicine.
- The term SerT stands for "Drug Addiction Service".
- The duration of methadone treatment varies, but the minimum period is usually set at 12 months. Some patients need years of treatment.
- It is usually given by mouth in tablet, liquid, or powder form.
- A single dose should not exceed 80-100 mg per day with an efficacy of 12-36 hours based on age, weight, level of addiction and tolerance to the drug.
Step 2. Consider taking methadone at home
After a period of steady progress and consistent adherence to the dosing schedule, you may be allowed to take home larger amounts of the drug to take on your own. You will have to keep going to the doctor so that he can evaluate the results and you will have to attend social support meetings; however, you will be a bit freer from the SerT. The decision rests with the doctors and is based on the confidence you have gained, the official reports on how well you comply with the program and the desire you manifest to get rid of the addiction.
- SerT typically administers liquid methadone to patients, while prescribing the powder or soluble tablet form for people who can take it at home.
- Never share your methadone dose with other people. Selling or giving away the drug is illegal.
- Keep it in a safe place, inside your home and out of the reach of children.
- Injectable methadone is neither provided by recovery centers nor prescribed for monitored use at home, although some addicts inject into a vein the doses they have been able to obtain illegally.
Step 3. Never change the dosage
Dosage is usually based on individual weight and opioid tolerance, but is calculated and adjusted over time as the patient progresses - manifesting as a reduction in opioid withdrawal symptoms. When a posology is defined and then gradually reduced, it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Do not take a higher dosage than recommended in the hope that it will act better and faster. If you miss or miss a dose, or feel that it is not working, do not take an extra dose, but resume your normal schedule the next day.
- The tablets contain approximately 40 mg of methadone - the typical dosage that is prescribed for people who can follow therapy at home.
- If you can't remember the doctor's directions, follow the instructions on the prescription label or ask your pharmacist to explain anything you can't understand.
Step 4. Learn how to take it at home
If you have been given liquid methadone to take at home, measure the dose precisely using a syringe or special measuring cup; you can request these tools from any pharmacist. Do not mix the liquid with other water. If you have been given the tablets, dissolve them in 120ml of water or orange juice - the powder will not dissolve completely. Drink the solution immediately and add a little more liquid to make sure you are getting all the prescribed amount. Never chew the tablets.
- Sometimes it is necessary to take only half a tablet; in this case, break it following the line engraved on the pad itself.
- Take methadone at the same time each day or as directed by your doctor.
- Set a clock, cell phone, or alarm to remind you when to take your medication.
Step 5. Avoid methadone if you have any risk factors
You should not take it if you are allergic to it, if you have asthma or severe breathing problems, heart arrhythmias, heart disease or intestinal obstructions (paralytic ileus). All of these disorders increase the risk of experiencing negative reactions to methadone.
- Patients should report their complete medical / drug history to physicians to ensure they are using methadone safely.
- Your doctor will either decrease the dosage or tell you to take smaller amounts as treatment continues, but may also increase it if you experience unexpected withdrawal symptoms.
Part 2 of 2: Learn about the use of methadone
Step 1. Know the purpose for which methadone is typically prescribed
This synthetic drug was first created in the 1930s by doctors who wanted a much less addictive pain reliever than morphine. In the early 1970s, methadone was used more as a drug to help people reduce or quit opiate addiction (including morphine and heroin) than as a pain reliever. Currently, it is the drug of choice for combating opiate addiction and is widely used in recovery programs that also include social and psychological support.
- If you are trying to control severe chronic pain and want a pain reliever to take for a long time, methadone is probably not the right solution, due to its many side effects.
- When used according to the prescription and for a short time, this medicine is relatively effective in helping people recover from narcotic addictions.
Step 2. Learn about the mechanism of action of methadone
It acts as an analgesic by modifying the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain signals / sensations. In this way, it soothes the painful heroin withdrawal symptoms and blocks the euphoric effects of opioids - basically, it blocks the pain without the "high". For this reason, an addict uses methadone while cutting back on drug use until he no longer experiences withdrawal pain. Over time, the methadone dosage can be gradually lowered.
- This medicine is available in tablet, liquid and pod form. It should be taken once a day and the analgesic effect lasts 4 to 8 hours, depending on the dosage.
- Opiate drugs include heroin, morphine and codeine, although there are semi-synthetic variants such as hydrocodone and oxycodone.
Step 3. Be aware of adverse effects
Although methadone is considered relatively safe, negative reactions are not uncommon. The most common are sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and / or increased sweating. The most serious, although less frequent, side effects are shallow and labored breathing, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, hives, severe constipation and / or hallucinations / confusion.
- Even though the purpose of methadone is to avoid addiction, habituation and the painful withdrawal effects of opiates, there is always a risk of developing addiction to the drug.
- Ironically, methadone is abused as an illegal drug, although its ability to make people euphoric is not as strong as that of other opiates.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women can take methadone to combat addiction (it has no teratogenic effects); the drug also reduces the risk of miscarriage.
Step 4. Consider alternatives
There are few other drugs to treat opiate addiction besides methadone: buprenorphine and levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol (LAAM). Buprenorphine is a very strong semi-synthetic narcotic that has recently been approved to treat heroin addiction. It causes fewer breathing problems than methadone and is thought to be more difficult to overdose. LAAM is a good alternative because it has longer lasting effects - you can take one dose 3 times a week instead of every day. LAAM is similar to methadone in that it does not generate the "high", but is considered slightly safer in terms of side effects.
- Buprenorphine does not cause severe physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms, so it is easier to stop taking it than methadone.
- LAAM can trigger anxiety and cause liver dysfunction, hypertension, rash and nausea.
Warnings
- Do not mix alcohol with methadone, as it can cause serious complications and even sudden death.
- Methadone impairs your ability to think and react: do not drive or operate heavy machinery when taking it.
