What Is in Methadone?
Although methadone is a powerful drug that should not be taken lightly, it is a useful tool in treating a variety of conditions. As with any drug, one should not take methadone without fully understanding what it is made of and its prescribed uses.
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What is Methadone Used for?
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Methadone is a synthetic opioid analgesic (pain reliever) similar to morphine. It may be used to treat severe pain and in detoxification from and maintenance after addiction to narcotics.
Ingredients in Methadone
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Methadone's ingredients are methadone hydrochloride, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and silicon dioxide. It is available in tablet form in 5 mg or 10 mg doses.
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Contraindications
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Because of its ingredients, methadone is contraindicated in people who are sensitive or allergic to methadone hydrochloride or any of its ingredients. It also should not be used by those with respiratory problems, asthma or hypercarbia, or in anyone with paralytic ileus.
Drug Category
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Methadone falls into the drug categories of narcotics, antitussives, analgesics and opiate agonists.
Drug Interactions
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Methadone should not be taken along with pentazocine, rifampin or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or other central nervous system depressants such as narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, tranquilizers, phenothiazines, alcohol, sedative hypnotics or tricyclic antidepressants.
Brand Names for Methadone
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Brand names for methadone that are used in the United States include Dolophine, Methadone Diskets, Methadone Intensol and Methadose.
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