Active Ingredients: Methadone Oral
Representative Names: Dolophine Oral, Methadose
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What are methadone tablets? 
METHADONE (Dolophine®) is strong pain medication similar to morphine. Methadone relieves moderate to severe pain. Methadone used as part of detoxification and maintenance programs to help prevent withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to drugs such as heroin or other illegal street drugs. Federal law prohibits the transfer of methadone to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic methadone tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take methadone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•biliary tract disease
•diarrhea
•heart disease
•intestinal disease
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•lung disease or breathing difficulties
•seizures
•an unusual or allergic reaction to methadone, propoxyphene, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine? 
Take methadone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If methadone upsets your stomach you can take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with methadone? 
•antiviral medicines such as protease inhibitors, delavirdine, didanosine (ddI), efavirenz, nevirapine, stavudine (d4T), or zidovudine
•buprenorphine
•butorphanol
•clarithromycin
•erythromycin
•fluvoxamine
•grapefruit juice
•medicines for high blood pressure
•medicines for seizures
•nalbuphine
•naltrexone
•nefazodone
•pentazocine
•rifampin
•St. John's wort
Because methadone can cause drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of methadone. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
•alcohol and alcohol-containing medicines
•barbiturates such as phenobarbital
•certain antidepressants or tranquilizers
•muscle relaxants
•certain antihistamines used in cold medicines
•tramadol
Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines that may increase the effect of methadone.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking methadone?
Those who are bed-ridden or in severe pain seem to have fewer side effects.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•breathing difficulties
•cold, clammy skin
•confusion
•lightheadedness or fainting spells
•nervousness or restlessness
•seizures
•slow or fast heartbeat
•unusual weakness
•decrease or difficulty passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision
•clumsiness, unsteadiness
•constipation
•dizziness, drowsiness
•dry mouth
•flushing
•headache
•nausea/vomiting
•pinpoint pupils
•sweating

What should I watch for while taking methadone?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse or if you have a new or different type of pain.

Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking methadone on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your body becomes used to methadone and when you suddenly stop taking it, you may develop a severe reaction.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Be careful taking other medicines that may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking these medicines with methadone. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how methadone affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and can affect your breathing. Avoid alcohol while taking methadone.

Methadone will cause constipation. Make sure to take a laxative and/or stool softener while taking methadone. Try to have a bowel movement every 2—3 days, at least. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days or more, call your prescriber or health care professional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to help you move your bowels.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Visit the dentist regularly.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking methadone.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Do not share or give this medicine to anyone else. Avoid accidental swallowing of methadone by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.

Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Protect from light. Store in the original carton until time of use. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.