- Methadone is used to treat addicts who are dependent on heroin and other opiates, such as oxycodone or Vicodin. It is also sometimes used to treat chronic pain.
- Methadone blocks the euphoric effects produced by heroin and other opiates. This allows an addict who is attempting to recover to do so without experiencing opiate withdrawal syndrome. Its duration is long, also making it a choice for treating chronic pain.
- Methadone is usually given to patients in a drinkable oral solution, as this method provides faster results. It is also available in tablet, pill and sublingual pill form.
- Methadone can affect many systems of the body. These include the nervous system, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system. In addition, it can cause sweating, rash and other skin problems, and psychological dependence or addiction.
- Some of the cardiovascular side effects of methadone include low blood pressure, low heart rate, arrythmia, bigeminal heart rhythm (with an extra, premature beat), inflamed heart muscle, heart palpitations, heart failure, flushing, syncope, tachycardia, edema and cardiac arrest.
- While there is no way to truly prevent cardiovascular side effects of methadone, there are ways to lessen the chance of having them. If methadone is taken in a prescribed, controlled environment, with no possibility for overdose, the chances of having adverse cardiovascular side effects are greatly reduced.
