|
Posted by: Dr.dhananjaya Bhupathi on 2011-06-27, 20:50:50
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF METHADONE As with any medication methadone has its share of side effects. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat. Other serious side effects include difficulty breathing, hallucinations or confusion, swelling of ankles or feet, urinating less than usual, chest pain, feeling light headed and fainting. Less serious side effects include feeling anxious, nervous or restless; sleep problems including insomnia; dizziness or drowsiness; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; dry mouth; constipation; weakness; decreased sex drive, impotence, and difficulty having orgasm. Methadone lasts longer than morphine based drugs. It has a typical half-life of 24-48 hours if it is administered once a day in a heroin detoxification and maintenance program. The most common delivery at a Methadone Clinic is an oral solution. METHADONE AND CHRONIC PAIN Recently methadone has been used to treat chronic pain and other medical conditions Unfortunately this has caused methadone to be tied to an increasing number of drug overdose deaths in the United States, more so than any other prescription narcotic painkiller. Methadone is preferred by physicians because it lasts longer than morphine and other pain killers, therefore it can be taken less and still be effective in treating the pain. |
