This prescription is not refillable.If you continue to experience pain after you finish taking methadone, call your doctor. If you take this medication on a regular basis, be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor so that you do not run out of medication. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
- When your body is dependent on a medication, your body can’t function normally without it.
- Like all opioids, methadone’s origins can be traced back to opium, a product of the poppy plant.
- Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
- “Now it is time for Congress to act,” said Dr. Brian Hurley.
ANR Opioid Treatment for Methadone Addiction
Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. You or your pharmacy will have to contact your doctor for a new prescription if you need this medication refilled. If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
What happens to your body when you stop taking methadone?
However, chronic use of methadone can lead to methadone addiction. This is because, like other opioids, methadone use can change the brain’s chemistry over time, which leads to tolerance and dependency. Tolerance refers to the instance when an individual needs a higher dose of methadone to achieve the same effect. On the other hand, dependency refers to the instance when the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when stopping methadone use. Methadone injection is methadone withdrawal timeline used to relieve severe and persistent pain that requires daily opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated.
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- Healthcare professionals play a critical role in preventing individuals from getting addicted to methadone during this process.
- Working closely with healthcare providers to determine the right dose and treatment plan is crucial, as abruptly stopping methadone can lead to withdrawal symptoms and increase the risk of relapse.
- Do not take extra doses of methadone or take doses of methadone earlier than they are scheduled even if you experience pain.
- Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
As a result, it is deemed effective for managing opioid use disorder alcoholism symptoms by preventing symptoms during the withdrawal process. However, misusing methadone, such as taking higher doses than prescribed, can lead to addiction because it activates opioid receptors in the brain. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommend the use of methadone treatment programs for individuals struggling with chronic opioid use. This is because methadone treatment has been proven effective for patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of relapse. Methadone can cause physical dependence, which means your body relies on the medicine. If you stop methadone suddenly, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may require you to go to the hospital.
Some people addicted to opioids take methadone for 20 years or even more. If you decide to quit this drug, work with your doctor to gradually taper off it, as stopping it abruptly can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. The best and most effective way to manage methadone withdrawal symptoms is to seek help from medical professionals. The methadone withdrawal timeline looks different for everyone, as the severity and duration of methadone withdrawal symptoms depend on various individual factors. These include your methadone dosage, consumption method, and metabolic rate.