Methadone (Dolophine, Dollies, Fizzies, Wafer)

New Jersey Methadone Possession and Drug Distribution Defense Attorneys

Facts About Methadone

Brand name: Methadose, Dolophine, Amidone, Symoron

Street names: Dollies, Fizzies, Wafer

Drug Classification:  Methadone is a Schedule II substance in the United States. Methadone used for detox can only be prescribed and given by licensed clinics.

General Drug Information

Methadone is a synthetic chemical and opioid used to treat pain and to treat opiate dependency and withdrawal from use of drugs like heroin or morphine. Methadone comes in tablets, in liquid form for oral consumption, and as a solution for injection.

Warnings

Never attempt to inject methadone from a pill or oral solution form. Do not drink alcohol if you are taking methadone as the combination of the two drugs may suppress the central nervous and respiratory systems, a potentially fatal condition.

While Methadone is sometimes prescribed as a painkiller, it is most often used to prevent withdrawal symptoms in people trying to break their addiction to an opiate like heroin. This is because Methadone produces similar effects to opiates, with less of a euphoric rush and a much longer duration of effects. Because Methadone causes a cross-tolerance with opiates like morphine and heroin, it can block the effects of these drugs altogether, helping methadone patients end their use of other opiates entirely. This is sometimes referred to as Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT). While success stories about methadone abound, concerns still exist regarding subsequent addiction to methadone in patients and whether complete abstinence from opiates can ever be achieved.

Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms

Methadone is physically addictive and the body develops a tolerance quickly, requiring higher and higher doses. Once someone is addicted to methadone, ending use can be very difficult. Withdrawal symptoms are typical of opioid withdrawal syndrome and include nausea, chills and fevers, diarrhea, muscle cramping, and depression. These symptoms are very severe, more so than symptoms of withdrawal from other opiates, and can last for multiple weeks. The severity of methadone withdrawal is the major cause for concern regarding its potential to help heroin addicts and the like.

Methadone Side Effects

Common side effects of Methadone include drowsiness, nausea, constipation, itching, dry mouth, sweating, and fatigue. Other effects include anxiety and restlessness, decreased sex drive, dulling of emotions, mood swings, and insomnia. Illicit use of methadone creates additional overdose risks, since users of opiates like Oxycodone sometimes turn to methadone due to its availability. But since it doesn’t produce the ‘signature’ euphoric rush of other opiates, users sometimes take more and more methadone in pursuit of a high. Overdose signs are similar to those of morphine and include cool clammy skin and constricted pupils. Overdose is very dangerous and can result in death from respiratory depression.

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