Health Library

Methadone (By mouth)

Methadone (METH-a-done)

Treats moderate to severe pain and opioid use disorder.

Brand Name(s):

Diskets Dispersible, Dolophine HCl, Methadone HCl Intensol, Methadose

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet, Tablet for Suspension

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• An overdose can be dangerous. Follow directions carefully so you do not get too much medicine at one time. Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose. If you have been prescribed naloxone, make sure household members know how to use this on you in the event of an overdose or suspected overdose. Emergency medical attention is still needed after naloxone is used because the reversal effects are only temporary.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Oral liquid: Mix with 2 tablespoons of liquid (unless your doctor tells you differently). Drink the medicine right away.
• Tablet for suspension: Mix it with water or another liquid, then drink the mixture right away. Do not swallow the tablet, and do not use it without mixing it in liquid first.
• Diskets® tablet for suspension: Do not chew or swallow the tablet. You may break or cut the tablet in half. Dissolve the tablet in 120 mL (4 ounces) of water, orange juice, or other acidic fruit drinks before taking. If there are remaining pieces in the cup, add a small amount of liquid and drink the mixture.
• Tablet: Swallow it whole. Do not crush, break, chew, or dissolve it.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose:
  • For pain: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
  • For opioid use disorder: If you miss a dose, take your next dose the following day as scheduled.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Store the medicine in a safe and secure place. Drop off any unused opioid medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused opioid medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.
• Some medicines can affect how methadone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Abacavir, amprenavir, carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, darunavir/ritonavir, desipramine, didanosine, efavirenz, erythromycin, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, metaxalone, mirtazapine, nelfinavir, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, saquinavir/ritonavir, sertraline, stavudine, St John's wort, telaprevir, tipranvir/ritonavir, tramadol, trazodone, voriconazole, zidovudine
  • Benzodiazepine medicine
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Laxatives
  • Medicine to treat depression or mental health problems (including SNRIs, SSRIs, TCAs)
  • Medicine to treat heart rhythm problems
  • Phenothiazine medicine
  • Steroid medicine
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are also using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (including long QT syndrome), adrenal problems, breathing or lung problems (including asthma, COPD, sleep apnea), gallbladder problems, low magnesium or potassium in the blood, pancreas problems, stomach or bowel problems, or trouble urinating. Tell your doctor if you have a history of head injury, brain tumor, seizures, depression, or alcohol or drug use disorder.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • High risk of overdose, which can lead to death
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)
  • Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)
  • Adrenal gland problems
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Serotonin syndrome, when used with certain medicines
  • Seizures
  • Low blood sugar
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation. Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, confusion, restlessness, fever, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin, trouble breathing
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles, cold feeling, tiredness, weight loss
• Extreme dizziness or weakness, shallow breathing, slow or uneven heartbeat, sweating, seizures, cold or clammy skin
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Severe constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
• Shaking, trembling, sweating, hunger

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation
• Sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024