In general, dose selection for elderly patients should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. Several studies have found that individuals who use methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) have an easier time managing withdrawal, and their risk of relapse is greatly decreased. Is your friend capable of causing them any harm in doing so? Step Five: Calling for Help If you feel that you are dealing with a problem that cannot be helped by the website, a banner with a toll-free number is always listed above. If you experience any of the following symptoms after taking Methadone, call your doctor (or 911) immediately: · difficulty breathing · extreme drowsiness · slow, shallow breathing · fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat · faintness · severe dizziness · confusion The risk that you will experience serious or life-threatening side Methadone Effects is greatest when you first start taking methadone, when you switch from another narcotic medication to methadone and when your doctor increases your dose of methadone.
Only a doctor should always give methadone treatment dosages. These factors, combined with sedation, have been linked to the causation of extensive dental damage.[31][32] Overdose[edit] Most people who have overdosed on methadone may show some of the following symptoms: Miosis (constricted pupils)[33] Vomiting[34] Hypoventilation (breathing that is too slow/shallow)[33] Drowsiness,[33] sleepiness, disorientation, sedation, unresponsiveness Skin that is cool, clammy (damp), and pale[33] Limp muscles,[33] trouble staying awake, nausea Unconsciousness[33] and coma[33] Death[34] The respiratory depression of an overdose can be treated with naloxone.[30] Naloxone is preferred to the newer, longer acting antagonist naltrexone. When it is time to stop taking this medication, your medical team can lead you through the process so that you are able to deal with the symptoms accordingly.
These factors, combined with sedation, have been linked to the causation of extensive dental damage.[31][32] Overdose[edit] Most people who have overdosed on methadone may show some of the following symptoms: Miosis (constricted pupils)[33] Vomiting[34] Hypoventilation (breathing that is too slow/shallow)[33] Drowsiness,[33] sleepiness, disorientation, sedation, unresponsiveness Skin that is cool, clammy (damp), and pale[33] Limp muscles,[33] trouble staying awake, nausea Unconsciousness[33] and coma[33] Death[34] The respiratory depression of an overdose can be treated with naloxone.[30] Naloxone is preferred to the newer, longer acting antagonist naltrexone. If cessation of therapy is indicated, it may be appropriate to taper the methadone dose, rather than abruptly discontinue it, due to the risk of precipitating withdrawal symptoms.
Methadone can cause slow or shallow breathing and dangerous changes in heartbeat that may not be felt by the patient." The advisory urged that physicians use caution when prescribing methadone to people who are not used to the drug and that people take the drug exactly as directed.[23] Adverse effects of methadone include:[citation needed] Sedation Diarrhea[24] or constipation[24][25] Flushing[25] Perspiration[25] and sweating[25] Heat intolerance Dizziness[24][26][27] or fainting[24][26][27] Weakness[25] Chronic fatigue, sleepiness[25] and exhaustion Sleep problems such as drowsiness,[24] trouble falling asleep (Insomnia),[25][26] and trouble staying asleep[25] Constricted pupils Dry mouth[24][25] Nausea[24][25] and vomiting[24][25] Low blood pressure Hallucinations[24][26] or confusion[24][26] Headache[25] Heart problems such as chest pain[24][26] or fast/pounding heartbeat[24][26][27] Abnormal heart rhythms[27][28] Respiratory problems such as trouble breathing,[24][26] slow or shallow breathing (hypoventilation),[24][26] light-headedness,[24][26][27] or fainting[24][26] Loss of appetite,[24][25] and in extreme cases anorexia Weight gain[25] Memory loss Stomach pains[25] Itching Difficulty urinating[25] Swelling of the hands, arms, feet, and legs[25] Feeling restless[24] or agitated Mood changes,[25] euphoria, disorientation Nervousness[24] or anxiety[24][26] Blurred vision[25] Decreased libido,[24][25] missed menstrual periods,[25] difficulty in reaching orgasm,[24] or impotence[24][25] Skin rash Seizures Central sleep apnea Withdrawal symptoms[edit] Physical symptoms[citation needed] Lightheadedness[29] Tearing of the eyes[29][30] Mydriasis (dilated pupils)[29] Photophobia (sensitivity to light) Hyperventilation syndrome (breathing that is too fast/deep) Runny nose[30] Yawning Sneezing[30] Nausea,[29][30] vomiting,[29][30] and diarrhea[29] Fever[30] Sweating[29] Chills[30] Tremors[29][30] Akathisia (restlessness) Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)[30] Aches[29] and pains, often in the joints or legs Elevated pain sensitivity Blood pressure that is too high (hypertension, may cause stroke) Cognitive symptoms[citation needed] Suicidal ideation Susceptibility to cravings[29] Depression[29] Spontaneous orgasm Prolonged insomnia Delirium Auditory hallucinations Visual hallucinations Increased perception of odors (olfaction), real or imagined Marked decrease or increase in sex drive Agitation Anxiety[29] Panic disorder Nervousness[29] Paranoia Delusions Apathy Anorexia (symptom) Methadone withdrawal symptoms are reported as being significantly more protracted than withdrawal from opioids with shorter half-lives. A common problem in treating methadone overdoses is that, given the short action of naloxone (versus the extremely longer-acting methadone), a dosage of naloxone given to a methadone-overdosed person will initially work to bring the person out of overdose, but once the naloxone wears off, if no further naloxone is administered, the person can go right back into overdose (based upon time and dosage of the methadone ingested).
Be sure your doctor knows if you also use: other narcotic medications - opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine; drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing - a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, sedative, tranquilizer, or antipsychotic medicine; or drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body - medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. If you do, it is important to take it as soon as possible. Effectiveness[edit] While methadone clinics are generally considered to be effective treatment options for patients addicted to opioids, especially when other interventions have failed, there is controversy surrounding the placement of methadone clinics. Derek Dore, PharmD Q: Does methadone cause serious problems with constipation? Also I hear Soma is addicting.. well thats another favorite of mine.. but Ive never had w/d from it, and Ive been up to 12-20 a day (4 at a time). Use the contact link at the bottom of this page to inquire on pricing and availability. You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. An important part of treatment for addiction is counseling.
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