Improper Use of Methadone

Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing feelings of being high assisted with drug addiction.

Besides being used as a pain reliever, this drug is also used for drug addicts who are going through a detoxification program.

It is important to be aware that improper use of Methadone can cause serious side effects, even death.

Methadone, if not used properly, can slow breathing even after the pain relieving effect of the medication has worn off.

Death can occur if breathing becomes too weak. One should never use more Methadone than what the doctor has prescribed. Methadone can also impair thinking or reactions.

It is important to know that the use of Methadone should not be stopped suddenly because this can cause unpleasant side effects. Alcohol is not to be taken while Methadone is being used.

It is also important to know that this drug can also be habit forming and should only be used by the person it was prescribed for. It should never be given to someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Methadone, which is a drug, comes in pill form as well as in liquid form. This is a potent drug used to treat heroin addicts. It is believed that it is this drug that may have killed former Playboy model, Anna Nicole Smith. It is being used by doctors as a pain medicine and for those who are drug users.

Patients and addicts are mixing methadone with other drugs.
Methadone is a synthetic opiate which is similar to heroin. This drug is different than other opiates because It curbs the user's craving for illegal drugs by blocking the sensors that heroin stimulates.

Many drug addicts are taking methadone in conjunction with prescription drugs such
as Valium, Xanax, or illegal drugs such as cocaine.

A director of toxicology at one of the universities said that every year hundreds of deaths occur due to the mixture of methadone along with other drugs.

Physicians say that methadone's potential for abuse is not as high as that of opiates like heroin because it does not induce a strong euphoria when used alone.

Doctors say that a repetitive use of methadone can cause a dependence on the drug, and when an individual stops taking the drug, withdrawal-like symptoms can occur.

This drug can be lethal when mixed with anti-depressants or grapefruit juice. The drug can linger in the body for over 48 hours. Users assume that it has worn off, so they go ahead taking other drugs which can lead to depression, coma and eventual death.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to all physicians saying that misuse of the drug can lead to breathing problems and possible death.

Unfortunately, methadone is one of those cheap and easy things to get right now and as availability of the drug increases, so does abuse and misuse of it increase.

Source: Cermer Multum, Inc and doctors I have spoken to