Methadone Overview

(METH a done)

Dolophine®; Methadone Diskets®; Methadone Intensol™; Methadose®

Metadol-D™; Metadol™

Rubidexol

Analgesic, Opioid

• This medicine may cause dangerous fast heartbeats and difficulty breathing. Closely review the section in this leaflet which lists when to call healthcare provider.

• Use tablets by mouth only. Do not misuse this medicine and give by a shot. Does not mix with street drugs.

• If you are taking this medicine to treat drug addiction, you must enroll in a certified treatment program to receive it.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• If you have an allergy to methadone or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Asthma, intestinal blockage, or severe lung disease.

• Methadone binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. It decreases the feeling of pain and a person's response to pain.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

• Dispersible tablet: Drop in fruit juice or water. Drink when dissolved.

• A liquid (concentrate, solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Mix liquid (concentrate) with 1/4 cup of water before drinking.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle, vein, or into the fatty part of the skin.

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Your healthcare provider will monitor your heartbeat with a test called an ECG.

• Keep a diary of pain control.

• Bowel movements.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

• Throw away any unused medicine by flushing down toilet or sink.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 14:08:02.0

Modified: 2010-03-22 09:15:16.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.