Methadone
As an opiate, regular use of methadone causes physical dependency – if you’ve been using it regularly (prescribed or not) once you stop you will experience a withdrawal. The physical changes due to the drug are similar to other opiates 
(like heroin); suppressed cough reflex, contracted pupils, drowsiness and constipation. Some methadone users feel sick when they first use the drug. If you are a woman using methadone you may not have regular periods – but you are still able to conceive. Methadone is a long-acting opioid; it has an effect for up to 36 hours (if you are using methadone you will not withdraw for this period) and can remain in your body for several days. see…Methadone Withdrawal
How Does Methadone Work?
Taken orally once a day, methadone suppresses narcotic withdrawal for between 24 and 36 hours. Because methadone is effective in eliminating withdrawal symptoms, it is used in detoxifying opiate addicts. This process is known as “methadone maintenance.” It is, however, only effective in cases of addiction to heroin, morphine and other opioid drugs, and it is not an effective treatment for
other drugs of abuse. Methadone reduces the cravings associated with heroin use and blocks the high from heroin but it does not provide the euphoric rush. Consequently, methadone patients do not experience the extreme highs and lows that result from the waxing and waning of heroin in blood levels. Ultimately, the patient remains physically dependent on the opioid, but is freed from the uncontrolled, compulsive and disruptive behavior seen in heroin addicts.
Methadone Side Effects & Deaths
Deaths occur more frequently at the beginning of addiction treatment in methadone programs; they are usually a cause of excessive doses (i.e. erroneously estimated tolerance) and they are affected by concomitant diseases (hepatitis, pneumonia). Methadone generally entails the entire spectrum of opioid side effects, including the development of tolerance and physical and psychological dependence. Respiratory depressions are dangerous. The released histamines can cause hypertension or bronchospasms.
Other symptoms are:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Vertigo
- Edema
Withdrawal
Withdrawal from methadone is much slower than that from heroin. As a result, it is possible to maintain an addict on methadone without harsh side effects. Many patients require continuous methadone rehabilitation , sometimes over a period of years.
Drug Specific Information On Methadone.
