Methadone is
the synthetic opioid which is commonly used for confronting pain and other
treatment of opioid addiction. It is also prescribed by licensed family
physicians for analgesia. It is a suitable option for the management of cancer
pain and other chronic pain, including neuropathic pain states. It is also an
appropriate replacement for opioids when side effects have limited further
dosage escalation. The response to methadone varies with each patient and the
transition to methadone should be slow with frequent monitoring. There is
medication altering the absorption or metabolism of methadone and the
concurrent use require dosage adjustment.
Factsheet
about Methadone
Methadone
has significant analgesic qualities that are dissimilar to morphine. This
synthetic opioid caused substantial side effects at the preliminary stage,
leading to the non-use of drug clinically for several years. Gradually during
the 1950s, methadone emerged as a treatment for opioid addiction and has
remained the primary therapy for more than 40 years. Today, methadone is used
to treat cancer pain and other chronic pains too. It is listed on Schedule II
of the Controlled Substances Act. The medicine should be taken only after
consultation with a physician or doctor.
Is methadone
used to treat pain?
Methadone is
working as the drug that is reducing the withdrawal symptoms in people addicted
to heroin or other narcotic drugs. This drug is prescribed by doctors as a pain
reliever and also as part of the drug addiction detoxification &
maintenance program. The opioid is perceived as an attractive alternative to
oxycodone as it is less euphoria-inducing and it is somewhat less prone to
abuse.
Here are
some key points about Methadone –
- Methadone is the opiate drug that is used in treating other opioid addiction and chronic pain.
- The drug has multiple pharmacological modes of action, but it predominantly works via antagonism.
- It is problematic to convert to and from methadone and other long-term opioids and there is no such universal accepted equianalgesic dosing regimen in action.
- It is also problematic for perioperative management of patients taking long-term methadone.
Side-effects
of Methadone Use
Individuals
suffering from asthma or breathing problems should not use methadone. Also, if
you are having a blockage in stomach or intestines should avoid the use of the
drug. The drug use slows or stops the breathing, and can become habit-forming.
The abusive use of the drug can lead to severe damages and even death in some
cases. Women taking medicine during pregnancy also cause life-threatening
withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby. The methadone use also causes
life-threatening heart rhythm disorder.
Methadone isa painkiller and it is prescribed to individuals for common pain management. It
is a highly lipophilic molecule that is suitable for a variety of
administration routes. It is approved for oral and intramuscular use including
the use of rectally, intravenously, subcutaneously, epidurally, and
intrathecally. Always, make sure that you consult your physician before the
pre-use of the drug.
