How Does Methadone Work and What Exactly Is It ?
Question by The Hit Man: How does Methadone work and what exactly is it ?
I know it’s a treatment for heroine but what does it do ? I have noticed users on here asking about it and I have heard about it but I still don’t know what it does.
Does it get you high so that you’re satified and don’t want heroine ?
Is it illegal unless prescribed by a doctor ?
What exactly is it ?
Best answer:
Answer by Jenn S
I think it is illegal unless prescribed. As far as I know it takes away the serious withdrawals heroin causes. But, methodone, at the same time, can become a switch off drug. Like quitting smoking using nicotine gum, then getting addicted to the gum. I would speak to a health professional, or even attend an NA meeting and ask questions. People usually will oblige you, and it is anonymous. Good luck.
Answer by Master Of Puppets
Methadone is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic and in the treatment of narcotic addiction. It was first brought to market by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company.
Methadone has a slow metabolism and very high lipid solubility, making it longer lasting than morphine-based drugs. Methadone has a typical half-life of 24-48 hours, permitting the administration only once a day in heroin detoxification and maintenance programs. The most common mode of delivery at a methadone clinic is in an oral solution. Methadone is almost as effective when administered orally as by injection. As with heroin, tolerance and dependence usually develop with repeated doses. Tolerance to the different physiological effects of methadone varies. Tolerance to analgesia usually occurs during the first few weeks of use; whereas with respiratory depression, sedation, and nausea it is seen within approximately 5-7 days. There is no tolerance formed to constipation produced by methadone or the other opioids.
Current research shows methadone has a unique affinity for the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) brain receptor. Some researchers propose that NMDA may regulate psychic dependence and tolerance by exhibiting opioid antagonist-like activity. Withdrawal symptoms are generally less acutely severe than those of morphine and heroin at equivalent doses, but are significantly more prolonged
Clinical use:
1-Opiate addiction
2-Chronic pain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone