Type of medicine: narcotic analgesic (painkiller)
Generic and brand names: methadone, oral; Dolophine Hydrochloride; Methadose
This medicine is a narcotic analgesic.
It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain and to treat narcotic addiction.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider about all the other pain medicines that you take.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it only for the condition for which it was prescribed. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Taking too much of this medicine may be habit-forming or may lead to overdose.
Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.
If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, use the measuring device that comes with the medicine to measure the doses carefully. Do not use a common kitchen spoon.
If you are taking the solution/concentrate form of this medicine, drink it right after you mix it with liquid.
If you are taking the dispersible tablets, place one tablet in 4 ounces of liquid such as water or citrus fruit juice. Allow the tablet to dissolve and then drink the entire mixture.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: cold and clammy skin; coma; confusion; extreme drowsiness; extreme weakness; fainting; irregular or slow heartbeat; pinpoint pupils; seizures; shallow breathing, slow breathing, or breathing that stops.
You may need to take this medicine for a long time. If you need to take this medicine for more than a few days, do not stop taking it suddenly. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
This medicine may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.
Keep this medicine in a safe place away from children. Accidental use by a child can be life-threatening.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause serious heart problems. If you have fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, trouble breathing, or suddenly faint, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may lessen this effect. Also, drinking alcohol may increase this effect.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.
This medicine may make you constipated. Drinking lots of water, exercising, and taking more fiber may help. You may need to take a laxative or stool softener while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects from this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Important notice: Taking an overdose of this medicine can cause very serious problems. If you think you have taken an overdose, get medical care right away.
This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; trouble breathing; swelling of your lips, tongue or throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), severe muscle weakness, decreased urination, trembling, fast or slow heartbeat, fainting, slow or shallow breathing, confusion, pinpoint pupils of the eyes, blurred vision, severe stomach pain, severe vomiting or constipation.
Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, itching, headache, dry mouth, sweating, loss of appetite, change in sexual desire or ability, trouble sleeping.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Smoking tobacco may affect how this medicine works in your system. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
