Methadone Uses

Question by nannie pooh: Where can I find the symptoms of an overdose on methadone?

Best answer:

Answer by littlemissemilie
Definition

This is poisoning from taking a large amount (overdose) of methadone. Methadone is a very strong painkiller. It is also used to treat heroin addiction.

Methadone overdose can also occur if a person takes methadone with certain painkillers such as oxycontin, Vicodin, or morphine.

Poisonous Ingredient

* Methadone

Where Found

* Methadone
* Dolophine
* Methadose
* Eptadone
* Physeptone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

* Lungs
o Breathing difficulty
o Slow breathing
o Shallow breathing
o Breathing stops
* Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
o Pinpoint pupils
* Skin
o Blue fingernails and lips
* Gastrointestinal
o Spasms of the stomach or intestines
o Constipation
o Nausea
o Vomiting
* Heart and blood
o Weak pulse
o Low blood pressure
* Nervous system
o Drowsiness
o Disorientation
o Coma
o Dizziness
o Muscle twitches (spasticity)

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

* Patient’s age, weight, and condition
* Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
* Time it was swallowed
* Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

* Fluids by IV
* Laxative
* Medicines to treat symptoms
* Activated charcoal
* Narcotic antagonist — medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
* A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose begins immediately. However, since methadone’s effects can last for about a day, the patient is usually kept in the hospital overnight and may receive several doses of the antidote.

The most common complications are in those who did not quickly received the antidote. Problems can include brain damage from lack of breathing or death from not breathing (respiratory arrest).

Answer by Jennifer B
Here ya go.

The side effects of an overdose are the same for any narcotic. Decreased respiratory status, Decreased alertness, even death.

What are the possible side effects of methadone?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking methadone and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
difficulty breathing;
hallucinations or confusion;
chest pain;
fainting; or
loss of consciousness.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take methadone and talk to your doctor if you experience

anxiety, nervousness, or restlessness;
dizziness or lightheadedness;
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
drowsiness;
decreased appetite;
dry mouth;
constipation;
weakness; or
sexual problems.
Methadone may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking methadone suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it on a regular basis. Your healthcare provider may want to gradually reduce the dose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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