Table of Contents
What Is Methadone?
Methadone Hydrochloride Tablets (methadone) is a narcotic used as a pain reliever and drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programs. Methadone hydrochloride is available in generic form. What Are Side Effects of Methadone?
Common methadone hydrochloride side effects include:
- nervousness,
- restlessness,
- anxiety,
- sleep problems (insomnia),
- weakness,
- dry mouth,
- nausea,
- drowsiness,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- decreased sex drive,
- diarrhea,
- loss of appetite,
- impotence, or
- difficulty having an orgasm.
Tell your doctor if you experience severe methadone hydrochloride side effects including:
- confusion,
- chest pain,
- dizziness,
- fainting,
- hallucinations,
- lightheadedness,
- shallow breathing,
- fast or pounding heartbeat,
- trouble breathing, or
Dosage for Methadone
Dosing of methadone depends on the patient’s age, general condition, medical status, other medications being taken, and other factors.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements have Methadone?
Methadone be mixed with other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, antibiotics, diuretics (water pills), heart or blood pressure medications, HIV medicines, MAO inhibitors, rifampin, or seizure medication.
Many other medicines may cause serious medical problems if you take them together with methadone. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.
Methadone During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
During pregnancy, methadone should be used only if prescribed. It may be harmful to a fetus. It could also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes methadone during pregnancy. Methadone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication.
Additional Information
Our Methadone Hydrochloride Tablets (methadone) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects of this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; swelling of your face, difficult breathing; lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or hard to wake up.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe constipation;
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath;
- a light-headed feeling, like you, might pass out; or
- low cortisol levels–nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.
- weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
Seek medical attention right away if you have serotonin syndrome symptoms, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are malnourished or debilitated.
Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.
Common opioid side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- increased sweating; or
- pain, redness, or swelling where the medicine was injected.
This is not the entire list of opioid side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
