Unfortunately, methadone comes with the danger of abuse and even addiction, especially when it is used recreationally. People who abuse methadone are at risk for a number of adverse side effects and even overdose, which can be deadly. Methadone is one of the many drugs used in a medication-assisted addiction recovery program. This medication is especially useful for individuals overcoming an opioid addiction, as it can help to reduce withdrawal symptoms and combat cravings.
Methadone can improve the likelihood of recovery from opioid addiction by allowing individuals to continue to function without their drug of choice.
While methadone is certainly helpful in treating opioid addiction, it comes with its own set of risks. While less potent and addictive than most, methadone is still considered an opioid, and as such comes with the risk of abuse and dependence.
Using methadone recreationally only increases this risk as well as the likelihood of experiencing a number of potentially dangerous side effects. Methadone is most commonly offered in pill, wafer, or liquid form.
Like other opioids, methadone works by blocking the pain receptors in the brain. This drug will typically provide pain relief for up to eight hours after ingesting it.
Methadone also blocks the effects of other opioids like heroin or morphine, making it impossible to feel the high from these drugs to prevent an addicted individual from continuing to use them. Additionally, people in treatment for opioid addiction can take methadone in order to function normally and manage withdrawal symptoms effectively.
While limited, in high doses, methadone may still elicit a euphoric effect that can include slowed reaction times, drowsiness, and muscle relaxation. Getting high on methadone requires individuals to take much higher doses than are recommended. Some people may snort, inject, or smoke methadone to experience the euphoric effects of the drug.
Call now to talk with a treatment specialist about your recovery options. Subjects received 10 mg methadone hydrochloride nasally, orally, or intravenously on 3 separate occasions in a crossover design. Blood samples for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of methadone and the metabolite 2-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolinium were drawn for up to 96 hours.
The methadone effect was measured by noninvasive infrared pupilometry coincident with blood sampling. Results: Nasal uptake of methadone was rapid, with maximum plasma concentrations occurring within 7 minutes. The maximum effects of intravenous, nasal, and oral methadone, on the basis of dark-adapted pupil diameter, were reached in about 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 2 hours, respectively.
The respective durations were 24, 10, and 8 hours. Methadone belongs to a class of drugs called opioids narcotics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Methadone can also replace another opioid drug that you have an addiction to. This will keep you from experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. This drug can make you very drowsy. Methadone can cause mild or serious side effects.
The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking methadone. For more information on the possible side effects of methadone, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If these side effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Your kidneys may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time.
This raises your risk of side effects. The standard dosage ranges between 80— mg per day. Do not crush, dissolve, snort, or inject methadone oral tablets because this may cause you to overdose. This can be fatal. Methadone oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. Symptoms of withdrawal include:.
You may also experience withdrawal symptoms. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you take this drug for pain and miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Then take your next dose 8—12 hours later as directed by your doctor.
Taking more than the prescribed dose may cause you to overdose because this drug builds up in your body over time. How to tell if the drug is working: You should have decreased pain, or your withdrawal symptoms should go away. Taking it again could be fatal cause death. The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of sedation, slowed breathing, coma being unconscious for a long time , and death from methadone.
If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor. You may need to be monitored for low blood pressure, breathing problems, and sedation. For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well.
This may increase the levels of methadone in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor should watch you closely if you take this drug. For people with liver problems: If you have liver problems or a history of liver disease, you may not be able to process this drug well.
For people with breathing problems: This drug can cause breathing problems. It can also worsen breathing problems you already have. This can be fatal cause death. If you have breathing problems, severe asthma, or have an asthma attack, you should talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
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