Methadone is a long-acting opioid and is usually taken once a day. It is also used for chronic pain management in patients who have become tolerant to other opioids.
Common side effects of methadone use can include constipation, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. More serious side effects can include respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Methadone should only be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional, and patients should never take more than their prescribed dose or use the drug recreationally.
Methadone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which means that it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. It should only be used under the close supervision of a healthcare professional who is experienced in the treatment of opioid addiction.
Methadone is a prescription medication that is primarily used for the management of opioid dependence and addiction. It belongs to a class of medications known as opioid agonists, which work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which can result in pain relief and reduction of opioid withdrawal symptoms.