How is Methadone Used?

Methadone is used to treat severe pain or as part of an addiction maintenance program to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.  Unfortunately, methadone is highly addictive and many people abuse the drug for recreational purposes in order to get high.  Methadone, when not used as prescribed, can lead to addiction, overdose and even death.  Because of the risks associated with methadone use, the medication should only be taken when legitimately prescribed by a doctor and even then should be taken exactly as prescribed.

Methadone is taken orally with water.  It’s important to drink plenty of water when taking methadone to ensure that the medication does not cause dehydration.  For some people, this drug can cause sour or upset stomach.  Taking methadone with food or milk can reduce the nausea or upset stomach feeling for those who do feel sour stomach when taking this medication.

Although methadone is most often taken orally, the medication is available in the following forms:

• Tablets
• Dispersible tables
• Oral solution that is injectable

Many addicts choose to crush or dissolve the tables of methadone and then mix them with water to inject them.  This is very dangerous and should never be done!

Methadone is stored at room temperature and does not require refrigeration.  It is important to make sure that the drug is not stored near moisture or heat as this can cause adverse effects to the drug.  Moisture can cause the oral tablets to dissolve and heat may melt the product.

Keeping track of the amount of methadone that is used is an important part of any methadone prescription regimen.  It’s important that not only you do not take more than prescribed but also that nobody else in the home takes the medication against your knowledge.  Because methadone is a drug of abuse and is commonly used to get high, you should always know how much of the drug you have on hand and quickly recognize if pills are coming up missing.