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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Author: Methadone is a full opioid agonist drug used for over 40 years by the medical community to treat opioid dependence and opioid addiction. It is used in combination with behavioral therapy—known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT)—to help a person overcome opioid addiction and avoid relapse.1Methadone must be taken carefully, as methadone overdose symptoms can occur due to the accumulative effects of the drug. Excessive methadone consumption can impact several systems within the body and cause a wide range of medical issues, including death. However, you can reduce your risk of a methadone overdose by taking your medication as directed by your doctor and being aware of the signs.In this article: How Does Methadone Affect You?Can You Overdose on Methadone?What Happens During Methadone Overdose?What Are Methadone Overdose Symptoms and Signs?How Should You Respond to Methadone Overdose Symptoms?How Can You Reduce the Risk of Methadone Overdose?How Does Methadone Affect You?Methadone is a long-acting synthetic drug that binds to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract, relieving opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.3 Methadone is taken orally and is available in tablet, powder, or liquid form.While methadone can help with pain for 4 to 8 hours, it can stay in your body for 8 to 59 hours.1 It is a Mu opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonist, which means it is effective in providing pain relief. However, it is normally prescribed for persistent, severe pain due to its addictive potential.When used as an MAT for opioid dependence, methadone helps lessen withdrawal effects and blocks the euphoric effects of other opioids. This helps keep you from wanting to take opioids, as you won’t feel the “high” associated with taking them. However, if you take methadone, you should not stop taking it suddenly due to the withdrawal symptoms associated with it. Call 800-994-1867 Get Help Now - Available 24/7 Who Answers? Can You Overdose on Methadone?It’s possible to overdose on methadone, which can be lethal if you take too much. A methadone overdose can occur if methadone is accidentally or intentionally taken more than the prescribed amount. An overdose of methadone can also occur by mixing methadone with certain painkillers, such as Oxycontin, morphine, or hydrocodone (Vicodin), or other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines.4Methadone overdose may also occur due to unintentional overdoses due to drug interactions or cardiac toxicity.5 In addition, prescribing the right amount is extremely individualized, leaving room for errors that could lead to an overdose of methadone, as there is variability in absorption and metabolization from person to person.6 Taking higher or more frequent doses of methadone can lead to a methadone overdose.What Happens During Methadone Overdose?The toxic effects of methadone are similar to other opioids, such as morphine and oxycodone.1 Methadone overdose can occur because of its long half-life.6 Methadone may last in your body long after the effects of the pain-relief due to the slow release of its tissue binding sites, including your brain and nervous system.1,5During a methadone overdose, the blood content of methadone in
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