Short-term Effects of Methadone

Common side-effects from prescribed methadone can include:

• Constipation
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Light-headedness
• Nausea and vomiting

The following is an excerpt taken from METAPHI recommendations from Women’s College Hospital in Toronto for methadone treatment for people who abuse fentanyl: “After four consecutive missed doses, the dose of methadone should be reduced by 50% or to 30 mg, whichever is higher.  For patients who miss five or more consecutive doses methadone should be restarted at a maximum of 30 mg and titrated according to patient need.  SROM (KADIAN) at a maximum dose of 200 mg can be added on the day of a restart, as long as the patient has not become completely opioid-abstinent”.

Yes, you can overdose on methadone.  Because of the slow onset of action, the progression of respiratory depression in a person taking methadone is insidious and can go unnoticed by the patient’s companions.  If you or someone you know uses opioids, it is a good idea to have a free naloxone kit. Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive.

Store methadone (methadose) at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep the container (“lock-box”) tightly closed. It is not safe to keep medication, especially methadone, in a fridge, food cupboard, drawer, bedside cabinet, wardrobe etc. Children are at high risk from methadone, illicit drugs, alcohol, and needles/syringes in the home. All of these items should be stored securely out of children’s reach. Methadone, slow-release oral morphine (Kadian), and Suboxone may cause harm and death if it is taken by other adults, children, or pets.

Methadone withdrawal symptoms include:

Methadone withdrawal develops more slowly and is less intense than withdrawal from heroin. Withdrawal symptoms include: 

• Chills
• Fever
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Stomach cramps
• Irritability
• Paranoia
• Diarrhea
• Cravings
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations
• Depression