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Overview
Methadone is often used in drug treatment programs to reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms from certain narcotics, like heroin, morphine and other opiates. It is taken once a day to stave off what many people refer to as withdrawal syndrome, which is basically a grouping of predictable symptoms that follow after the termination of a habitually used narcotic substance. While it may aid in an addict's recovery, methadone does pose its own set of problems.
Respiratory Issues
When methadone is used during the course of treatment for narcotics, there is the potential that the patient may experience slowed inhalation, shallow breaths or overwhelming dizziness. This is not due to withdrawal, but is actually caused by the introduction of the medication to the system, as the body is not currently accustomed to methadone. It may also be due to an increase in the dosage. This symptom doesn't necessarily present itself at the time of ingestion and may take up to 8 hours to cause this sort of reaction.
Cardiovascular Issues
Another symptom of methadone affects the heart. Sometimes, a patient will suffer from a change in the rhythm of their heartbeat, moving to a fast or uneven heartbeat at the start of methadone use. Usually, people are monitored when they are prescribed methadone as a part of their treatment, so any issues can be treated at the time of ingestion as this sort of reaction can be fatal.
Mental Changes
Another symptom of methadone is an altered mental state. Though rare, this particular medication has brought about confusion, agitation and even hallucinations. A patient may believe that this is due to the withdrawal syndrome, but it is in fact a side effect of the drug. Again, this is a very rare symptom of methadone and should be reported to your doctor. Another method of detoxification will need to be employed immediately.
Other Symptoms
There are a number of other symptoms from methadone like nausea and vomiting, upset stomach and abdominal pain, constipation, drowsiness and mild to moderate dizziness or light-headedness. While these symptoms aren't severe, they should be mentioned to your physician, especially if they worsen or continue for an extended period of time. Usually, people will experience most symptoms at the very onset of methadone use.
Dependency
While not an actual symptom of detox, methadone does pose a problem of an acquired dependency, much like the narcotics that the medication is being used to treat. While it is chemically different from most opiates, it does work on the opioid receptors in much of the same way, just without the rush. When used for extended periods of time or in higher dosages, patients are more apt to become dependent then with limited use and in a reduced amount.
Methadone Withdrawal
When someone is taken off methadone, hey may experience a number of withdrawal symptoms, much like heroin, morphine or other opiates. Some of the most common would be cravings and tremors, abdominal cramps, cold-like symptoms (fever, sneezing, runny nose, body aches, sweating and nausea) and irritability.
