Methadone Concentrate

Pronunciation: METH-a-done
Generic Name: Methadone
Brand Name: Methadose

Methadone Concentrate may cause severe and sometimes fatal heart and breathing problems. These problems may occur some time after you take a dose. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any new or worsening symptoms such as slowed or shallow breathing or irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will perform heart and lung function tests to check for side effects while you take Methadone Concentrate. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments. Talk with your doctor and be sure you understand the risks and benefits of using Methadone Concentrate.

Do not take more than the recommended dose or take Methadone Concentrate more often than prescribed. This can lead to overdose and possible death.

Methadone Concentrate is used for:

Treating a narcotic addiction as part of a treatment program. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Methadone Concentrate is a narcotic analgesic. It works by acting on opiate pain receptors in the brain and on smooth muscle to provide pain relief.

Do NOT use Methadone Concentrate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Methadone Concentrate


• you have slowed breathing or severe asthma, or if you are having an asthma attack


• you have a stomach or bowel blockage or certain severe bowel problems (eg, paralytic ileus)


• you have diarrhea caused by food poisoning or antibiotic use


• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)


• if you have taken a monamine oxidase inhibitor type B (MAOI-B) (eg, rasagiline, selegiline) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Methadone Concentrate:

Some medical conditions may interact with Methadone Concentrate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, stomach or bowel problems (eg, bowel inflammation), stomach pain or constipation, liver or kidney problems, thyroid problems, or Addison disease


• if you have an abnormal curvature of the spine; narrowing of the urethra, trouble urinating, or an enlarged prostate; low blood volume, blood pressure, or blood oxygen levels; low potassium or magnesium blood levels; increased pressure, tumors, or lesions in your head; a recent head injury; or seizures


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, enlarged heart) or irregular heartbeat


• if you or a family member have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, anxiety, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse


• if you are elderly, very ill, or very overweight, or if you have recently had stomach or intestine surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Methadone Concentrate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturate anesthetics (eg, thiopental), benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam), cimetidine, MAOI-B (eg, rasagiline, selegiline), other narcotic analgesics (eg, morphine), phenothiazines (eg, promethazine), or sodium oxybate (GHB) because side effects such as sedation and slowed breathing may occur


• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, dofetilide, flecainide, propafenone), antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol, paliperidone, ziprasidone), calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine), certain antiemetics (eg, dolasetron, droperidol), chloroquine, cisapride, diuretics (eg, furosemide), H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole), kinase inhibitors (eg, lapatinib, nilotinib), lithium, macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), streptogramins (eg, quinupristin), tacrolimus, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, desipramine) because the risk of QT prolongation may be increased


• Azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole) or certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluvoxamine, sertraline) because they may increase the risk of Methadone Concentrate's side effects


• Abacavir, carbamazepine, efavirenz, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, amprenavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), narcotic agonists/antagonists (eg, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine), narcotic antagonists (eg, naloxone, naltrexone), nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Methadone Concentrate's effectiveness


• Zidovudine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Methadone Concentrate


• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (eg, abacavir, didanosine, stavudine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Methadone Concentrate

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Methadone Concentrate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Methadone Concentrate:

Use Methadone Concentrate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Methadone Concentrate by mouth with or without food. Methadone Concentrate is for oral use only and must not be injected.


• Methadone Concentrate must be administered under close medical supervision.


• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.


• Methadone Concentrate must be mixed with water or other liquid before you use it. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to mix Methadone Concentrate.


• Take Methadone Concentrate on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• If Methadone Concentrate is no longer needed, dispose of it as soon as possible. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of Methadone Concentrate properly.


• Always keep Methadone Concentrate in a secure place to protect from theft.


• If you miss a dose of Methadone Concentrate and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss your doses of Methadone Concentrate for more than 2 days, contact your doctor before you start taking Methadone Concentrate again.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Methadone Concentrate.

Important safety information:

• Methadone Concentrate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Methadone Concentrate with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Methadone Concentrate; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Methadone Concentrate may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Breathing problems may occur some time after you take a dose of Methadone Concentrate. Tell your doctor or seek medical care immediately if you notice trouble breathing (eg, slowed or shallow breathing) while you take Methadone Concentrate.


• Methadone Concentrate may cause constipation. Constipation may be avoided by using a stool softener or fiber laxative.


• The risk of Methadone Concentrate becoming habit-forming may be greater if you take it in high doses or for a long time. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use Methadone Concentrate for longer than prescribed without talking with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Methadone Concentrate before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including liver function, lung function, and heart function, may be performed while you use Methadone Concentrate. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Methadone Concentrate with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Methadone Concentrate should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Methadone Concentrate may cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Methadone Concentrate while you are pregnant. Methadone Concentrate is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Methadone Concentrate, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Methadone Concentrate may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Methadone Concentrate stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Some people who use Methadone Concentrate for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.

If you stop taking Methadone Concentrate suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include convulsions, tremor, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating. Do not stop therapy suddenly or change the dosage without asking your doctor. Discuss overuse with your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects of Methadone Concentrate:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; itching; lightheadedness; nausea; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; decreased sexual desire or ability; excessive drowsiness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of appetite; menstrual changes; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, disorientation, exaggerated sense of well-being); seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; shortness of breath; slow or shallow breathing; swelling of the arms, feet, or legs; trouble sleeping; trouble urinating; unusual bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Methadone side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include cold and clammy skin; coma; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; pinpoint pupils; severe dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness; slow, shallow, or difficult breathing.

Proper storage of Methadone Concentrate:

Store Methadone Concentrate at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Methadone Concentrate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Methadone Concentrate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Methadone Concentrate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Methadone Concentrate. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Methadone resources

• Methadone Side Effects (in more detail)
• Methadone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Methadone Drug Interactions
• Methadone Support Group
• 217 Reviews for Methadone - Add your own review/rating

Compare Methadone with other medications

• Opiate Withdrawal
• Pain