What is METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE used for?

METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE (brand name Methadone Hydrochloride) is a Opioid Analgesic indicated for including immediate-release opioids. Limitations of Use • Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse.

What are the most common side effects of METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE?

Reported side effects vary by individual. The side-effects section on this page lists the events most frequently reported to FDA FAERS for METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what was reported, not absolute incidence.

Is METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE the same as Methadone Hydrochloride?

Methadone Hydrochloride is a brand name for METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE. They share the same active ingredient and FDA-approved indications. Biosimilars and authorised generics may differ in inactive ingredients such as buffers or preservatives.

METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Q: How does METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE work?

METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE works through the following mechanism: Mechanism of Action Methadone hydrochloride is a mu-agonist; a synthetic opioid analgesic with multiple actions qualitatively similar to those of morphine, the most prominent of which involve the central nervous system and organs composed of smooth muscle. The principal therapeutic uses for methadone are for analgesia and for detoxification or maintenance in opioid addiction. The methadone abstinence syndrome, although qualitatively similar to that of morphine, differs in that the onset is slower, the course is more prolonged, and the symptoms are less severe. Some data also indicate that methadone acts as an antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The contribution of NMDA receptor antagonism to methadone’s efficacy is unknown..

Opioid Analgesic

Brand names: Methadone Hydrochloride

Intramuscular, Intravenous, Subcutaneous

Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of Action Methadone hydrochloride is a mu-agonist; a synthetic opioid analgesic with multiple actions qualitatively similar to those of morphine, the most prominent of which involve the central nervous system and organs composed of smooth muscle. The principal therapeutic uses for methadone are for analgesia and for detoxification or maintenance in opioid addiction. The methadone abstinence syndrome, although qualitatively similar to that of morphine, differs in that the onset is slower, the course is more prolonged, and the symptoms are less severe. Some data also indicate that methadone acts as an antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The contribution of NMDA receptor antagonism to methadone’s efficacy is unknown.

Indications

including immediate-release opioids. Limitations of Use • Because of the risks of addiction

abuse

misuse

overdose

and death

which can occur at any dosage or duration (see WARNINGS )

Contraindications

• including paralytic ileus • Hypersensitivity to methadone hydrochloride (e.g. anaphylaxis) or any other ingredient in Methadone Hydrochloride Injection.

FDA Warnings

WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Methadone Hydrochloride Injection exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions (see WARNINGS )
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of Methadone Hydrochloride Injection, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase
To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Methadone Hydrochloride Injection are essential (see WARNINGS )
The balance between the risks of NOWS and the benefits of maternal Methadone Hydrochloride Injection use may differ based on the risks associated with the mother’s underlying condition, pain, or addiction

Known Side Effects

3 documented side effects by frequency

Drug Not Working

0.1-1%

Nausea

0.1-1%

Anxiety

0.1-1%

Community Discussions

3 Reddit threads analysed for METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Overall Sentiment

Positive

Comparison Threads

Avg Post Score

6,640 upvotes

Most discussed side effects in community

Anxiety (1)

Sexual Dysfunction (1)

Patient Experiences (r/pharmacy, r/AskDocs & more)

My fiance died and I don't know where to turn

She was a beautiful woman, we were ready to spend a life together. I had known her since elementary (I'm 33 and she was 35) - she was the one I had always wanted, she would come over and play Super Nintendo and build Lego with me when we were young, among her being wonderful and sympathetic and empa

r/TrueOffMyChest10,6344885y ago

OOP wants to Give Up her 2 Year Old Toddler for Adoption

**I am NOT OP. Original post by** u/ashleyprocter **in** r/Adoption trigger warnings: >!Death, Self Harm Suicide, PTSD, Drug Overdose!< [**Needing to place my 2 year old toddler up for adoption. Has anyone have any experience with this**](https://www.reddit.com/r/Adoption/comments/ovj1o2/needi

r/BestofRedditorUpdates5,6222692y ago

Anxiety

Sexual Dysfunction

I had a gay experience with my best friend. It was amazing. He died the next day. I've never told anyone.

When I was 16 in 2011 my best friend and I were hanging out. We had been talking about ecstasy all day. I was wanting to try it, he was experienced with it and wanted to do it with me. He got a hook up so we went to his grandma's and took it. We ended up just staying there the whole night talking. E

r/offmychest3,665604y ago

Community discussions are sourced from public Reddit threads. Content reflects individual opinions and is not medical advice.

Primary sources

Every figure on this page links back to its primary source. See data sources for full provenance.

DailyMed FDA label search → METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE openFDA label JSON → METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE FAERS adverse-event reports → METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE ClinicalTrials.gov → completed Phase 2+ trials of METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Compare With

17 available comparisons

Formulations

Dosage Forms

Tablet

Route

Intramuscular, Intravenous, Subcutaneous