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| Pronunciation |
|
 (METH
a
done) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Dolophine®;
Methadose® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Methadose®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Analgesic, Narcotic |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to methadone or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to decrease pain.
- It can also be used to treat narcotic
abuse.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Methadone binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. The feeling of
pain and a person's response to pain are also
decreased.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (solution, concentrate) is available for feeding tube
administration. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
- For suppository, use rectally. Mix liquid (concentrate) with
1/4
cup of water and drink.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Drop dispersible tablet in fruit juice or water. Drink after it has
dissolved.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Keep a diary of how well your pain is controlled. If not well
controlled, talk with healthcare provider.
- If no bowel movements in 3 days, call healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Difficult breathing.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant containers at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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