Why it’s used

Methadone oral tablet is used to manage moderate to severe pain. It’s only given when other short-term or non-opioid pain drugs don’t work for you or if you can’t tolerate them.

Methadone is also used to manage drug addiction. If you’re addicted to another opioid, your doctor may give you methadone to prevent you from having severe withdrawal symptoms.

How it works

Methadone belongs to a class of drugs called opioids (narcotics). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Methadone works on pain receptors in your body. It reduces how much pain you feel.

Methadone can also replace another opioid drug that you’re addicted to. This will keep you from having severe withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone oral tablet can cause extreme drowsiness and slowed breathing. This is more likely to occur during the first few hours after you take it and when your doctor increases your dosage.

Methadone can also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of methadone can include:

• constipation
• nausea
• sleepiness
• vomiting
• tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• stomach pain

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.