What are opiates?

One of the most widely prescribed medications, Opiates and its related medications, loricet, loritab percodan, and oxycontin are opioid-based pain medications. Opiates are a derivative of opium, which also used to manufacture heroin and morphine. Opiates are successful in diminishing pain, but are highly addictive and the withdrawal symptoms of Opiate addiction are very similar to the pain it was relieving. Opiates are some of the most commonly abused prescription pain medications today.

What is methadone?

Methadone is a rigorously well-tested medication that is safe and efficacious for the treatment of narcotic withdrawal and dependence. It works as an opiate agonist and occupies the brain receptor affected by opiates and is the stabilizing factor that permits addicts on methadone to change their behavior and to discontinue opiate use.

What is the proper dose of methadone?

Doses must be individually determined, due to differences in metabolism, body weight, and opiate tolerance. Doses of 60 to 100 mg, and sometimes more, are required for most patients.

Is methadone safe?

YES. Research and clinical study, particularly the ongoing work at Rockefeller University, has demonstrated the unequivocal medical safety of long-term methadone; there are no serious adverse effects, no harmful medication interactions, and it is safe for pregnant women.

Is methadone effective?

Methadone is the most widely known pharmacologic treatment for opiate dependence and is effective in reducing illicit narcotic use, retaining patients in treatment and decreasing illegal drug use. Ongoing methadone maintenance decreases the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) and is considered a cost-effective intervention. Long-term methadone maintenance is more successful in averting relapse than shorter-term treatment.

Is methadone maintenance treatment for life?

Some patients remain in methadone treatment for more than ten years, and even for the rest of their lives, but they constitute a minority (5 to 20%) of patients.

How long should treatment last?

Generally, the length of time spent in treatment is positively related to treatment success. The duration of treatment should be individually and clinically determined, and treatment should last for as long as the physician and the individual patient agree is appropriate.