Methadone
Brand names,
Methadone
Analogs
Methadone
Brand Names Mixture
Methadone
Chemical_Formula
C21H27NO
Methadone
RX_link
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methdone.htm
Methadone
fda sheet
Methadone
msds (material safety sheet)
Methadone
Synthesis Reference
No information avaliable
Methadone
Molecular Weight
309.445 g/mol
Methadone
Melting Point
235.0oC
Methadone
H2O Solubility
48.5 mg/L
Methadone
State
Solid
Methadone
LogP
5.458
Methadone
Dosage Forms
Tablet
Methadone
Indication
For the treatment of dry cough, drug withdrawal syndrome, opioid type drug dependence, and pain
Methadone
Pharmacology
Methadone is a synthetic opioid analgesic with multiple actions quantitatively similar to those at morphine, the most prominent of which involve the central nervous system and organs composed of smooth muscle. However, Methadone is more active and more toxic than morphine. Methadone is indicated for relief of severe pain, for detoxification treatment of narcotic addiction, and for temporary maintenance treatment of narcotic addiction. The principal actions of therapeutic value are analgesia and sedation and detoxification or temporary maintenance in narcotic addiction. The Methadone abstinence syndrome, although qualitatively similar to that of morphine, differs in that the onset is slower, the course is more prolonged, and the symptoms are less severe.
Methadone
Absorption
No information avaliable
Methadone
side effects and Toxicity
No information avaliable
Methadone
Patient Information
PATIENT INFORMATION
Narcotic analgesics are used to relieve pain. Some of these medicines are also used just before or during an operation to help the anesthetic work better. Codeine and hydrocodone are also used to relieve coughing. Methadone is also used to help some people control their dependence on heroin or other narcotics. Narcotic analgesics may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Narcotic analgesics act in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Some of their side effects are also caused by actions in the CNS.
If a narcotic is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.
These medicines are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. For some of them, prescriptions cannot be refilled and you must obtain a new prescription from your medical doctor or dentist each time you need the medicine. In addition, other rules and regulations may apply when methadone is used to treat narcotic dependence.
-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the narcotic analgesics. Also tell to your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
-Too much use of a narcotic during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, some of these medicines may cause breathing problems in the newborn
infant if taken just before delivery.
-Most narcotic analgesics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. However, when the mother is taking large amounts of methadone (in a methadone maintenance program), the nursing baby may become dependent on the medicine. Also, butorphanol, codeine, meperidine, morphine, opium, and propoxyphene pass into the breast milk.
-Breathing problems may be especially likely to occur in children younger than 2 years of age. These children are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of narcotic analgesics. Also, unusual excitement or restlessness may be more likely to occur in children receiving these medicines.
-Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of narcotic analgesics. This may increase the chance of side effects, especially breathing problems, during treatment.
-Methadone should be used with caution and in reduced dosage in patients who are concurrently receiving other narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other tranquilizers, sedative-hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and other CNS depressants (including alcohol). Respiratory depression, hypotension, and profound sedation or coma may result.
-Read more about Methadone on:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methdone_wcp.htm
http://www.drugs.com/cons/Methadone.html
Methadone
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals