Treats severe and chronic pain. It is also used to control withdrawal symptoms in patients being treated for narcotic drug addiction. Belongs to a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics.
Brand Names:
Methadone HCl Intensol, Methadose, Dolophine HCl
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to methadone, or to other types of narcotic pain medicine such as codeine.
Uses:
Tablet, Tablet for Suspension, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often. Take this medicine exactly as your doctor ordered.
You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Mix the oral concentrate with 2 tablespoons of liquid (unless your doctor tells you something different). Drink the medicine right away.
Mix the tablet for suspension with water or another liquid, then drink the mixture right away. Do not swallow the tablet, and do not use it without mixing it in liquid first.
If a dose is missed:
Take the missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take your medicine and skip the missed dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
Storage:
Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Store the oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any other kind of medicine that could make you drowsy, such as sedatives, cold or allergy medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, or strong pain killers.
Warnings:
Check with your doctor before taking methadone if you have asthma, seizures, low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine can be habit-forming. You should not use more than your doctor ordered.
If you have taken this medicine for several weeks, ask your doctor before stopping. You may need to take smaller and smaller doses before stopping completely.
This medicine may cause dizziness or confusion. Be careful if driving a car or using machinery.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
