Methadone side effects
Common side effects of methadone treatment
Methadone does come with side effects. Here, Dr. Jana Burson outlines how methadone acts in and on the body. If you have any questions about other side effects of methadone, be sure to send us an email (info [at] addictionblog [dot] org) or respond in the comment section below.
How is methadone absorbed?
Methadone is quickly absorbed from the stomach and intestines, stored in the liver, and released into the bloodstream over time. Plasma levels peak at around two to four hours after dosing.
Opioid tolerance on methadone
Euphoria and drowsiness can be seen if the initial methadone dose is too high, or if the dose has been raised too quickly. Tolerance develops within two weeks to both of these symptoms, and any euphoria felt by the patient subsides. However, patients don’t develop a tolerance to the blocking effects of methadone, meaning that once they get to a stable dose, they do not need to continually increase their dose in order to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
Can taking methadone cause excessive sweating?
The most common side effects of taking methadone include sweating and constipation. All opioids can cause both of these side effects, but methadone is more likely to cause both. Tolerance doesn’t seem to build for this, so these effects usually don’t improve with time.
Methadone effects on the liver
Though stored in the liver, methadone doesn’t damage the liver. Medical illnesses that affect the liver may affect the storage and metabolism of methadone, but methadone will not hasten deterioration of liver function. In fact, there are no serious, long term, adverse effects with indefinite methadone treatment. The most common side effects are sweating, constipation, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.
Low testosterone and opiates
Methadone causes sexual dysfunction, particularly in men. All opioids, including methadone, suppress testosterone levels. This in turn can decrease sexual desire, and limit the ability to initiate and sustain an erection. Sometimes, as the body adjusts to the presence of a steady level of opioids, testosterone levels may return to normal. If not, some male patients may need to be started on replacement testosterone.
Methadone and weight gain
Many patients on methadone say they crave sweets. Most people do gain weight while on methadone, but the reason isn’t clear. Some of the weight gain may be due to eating more regular meals, and expending less activity to get illicit opioids.
Methadone discussion
Have you experienced any of these side effects? What other side effects have you heard about from people who are currently taking methadone. And do you know the facts from the myths about methadone maintenance.
1:34 pm
November 24th, 2010
Great Topic would like to see more issues surrounding Methadone
1:36 pm
November 24th, 2010
Methadone is the most commonly used drug in the world more and more are being exposed to it daily.
9:32 pm
April 25th, 2011
I’ve been on methadone for 3 years. I gained over 100 pounds within the first 6 months of being on it. I’m also a diabetic so my diet is very strict so I really can’t see blaming that for the weight gain. I also was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (under activity of the thyroid) right after I started taking the methadone. I was tested for it 6 months before I started it and my thyroid was within normal range. So I really think due to the timing and everything that happend, that the methadone killed my thyroid. The clinic I go to refuses to even hear me out, They say methadone has no side effects and that I must be sneaking sweets and just not realizing it. I’m really frustrated with the whole situation. If anyone has any advice or is in a simalar situation please comment here.
5:28 pm
April 27th, 2011
Thanks for your question, Madi. I will forward it to Dr. Burson and see if she can answer it for you in another post.
2:02 pm
May 3rd, 2011
Hello I take 195 of methadone every morring by month at 6am for about 3 years now and have been stable on the 195 for 2 years. But for the past 2 years I have been bleeding from fibroids and I never stop. So I had to have a blood transfusion my hemoglobin was a 4.0 1/3 less then what I needed to have. I had this done on the 15th of April and for the first week I was feeling ok but the next week till now I have starting to feel withdraw at around 5pm everynigh. What I would like to know is because my body was so uesd to not have a high hemoglobin for the 2 years when I got all that blood back so fast and my liver,heart,kidneys, started to work better would that make me feel that withdraw. because now my body is working different and more of the methadone is being taken by my blood and by my liver. I dont know what other thing could make me feel like this I have not had withdraw for years and till right after my blood transfusion my methadone was holding me till the next day and sometimes even longer.
10:03 am
May 7th, 2011
i was on methadone about a year and a half ago,then i had a breast reduction and promised my husband i would get off methadone so i did then got on narcos 10/325 times2 4 times a day and also somas 350mgs 3 times a day,well now i have endometriosis and have had nothing but problems with my breast reduction(sucky plastic surgeon) but also have bad back problems,so i was paying for all these narcos and as costing me over $200 a month so my doctor decided i can take methadone 10mg 3 times a day plus the somas 350mg 3 times a day also,well my husbands ex wife she died while taking methadone,she had hep C,hep A,plus she drank alcohol ALOT she couldn’t go a day without it,well he is telling me that the methadone is going to kill my liver,and other people that have tried in the past to get me to use marijuana instead of methadone say that it makes your brain basically melt and i will start forgetting things,and it will kill me!!! This scares me alot but i have turned to every other avenue but don’t want to ruin my body either i am only 26 years old and please keep in mind i am not on methadone because i am getting off of drugs it is for pain management only,plus i wanted to know how often am i allowed to take methadone i am taking it every 6 hours right now and just making sure i am not overdosing myself,but for some reason the methadone keeps my pain away longer than the narcos, I also am concerned about gaining weight i have already gained about 55 pounds since i had my breast reduction so i do want to loose weight but i want to do it the right way!!!I am also concerned about 2 other things taking the somas with the methadone my doctor says its ok but just need another opinion,and 2nd thing is i am worried that methadone will effect my sexual relationship with my husband is there n e thing i can do to help me in this department?? I really apreciate you answering all these questions i know its alot but i am at a dead end here.
Thank you,
chrissy
12:33 am
June 4th, 2011
I have been on methadone steady for over 11 years. my current dose is 70mg daily. I have been as high as 130mg and as low as 20mg. Volume of daily intake has a very little to do with severity of side effects or severity of withdrawl (if abruptly discontinued). Like so many methadone brothers and sisters, I suffer from drenching sweats brought on by the least of physical exertion. I have gained about 80 pounds on methadone (never heavy before). Methadone has lowered my testosterone to a level of virtual sexual disfunction. Other side-effects of “Low-T” that I suffer from are; reduction of lean muscle, depression, lack of motivation, lack of constructive decisiveness. I recently had an EKG disclose “Left Bundle Branch Block” . A heart disfunction brought on from methadone. I am leaving for the Carribean shortly to recieve Ibogaine treatment. If you are not familiar with Ibogaine and wish to break your opiate addiction, I strongly recommend getting informed about this substance. Seek testimonials about the near miraculous power of this humble root-bark extractive. There is no shortage of good info on line but unfortunately, Ibogaine is not attainable (legally) in the U.S. currently. But it has been used with astonishing success in Europe, Canada, Mexico and scores of other fine nations. Until I discovered Ibogaine I was resolved to the dismal proposition of perpetual methadone addiction. And not having health insurance, methadone costs me $400.00 each month. If you are seeking a way out of the insanity of opiate addiction, dont lose hope – look into IBOGAINE
9:24 pm
June 26th, 2011
I am 59yo white male. To look at me you would say I look in my mid 40′s and in good health. I quit smoking many years ago and haven’t had an alcoholic drink(a sip, one sip, of beer doesn’t count) since starting Methadone 31 years ago. I have been on a dose of 80mg. for that many years. I noticed my sexual desire waning about 10 years ago, although my wife and I still have some good “wrestling matches” once or twice a month. I have developed a couple friends who are chronic pain patients so if I want to use a little Oxy on Friday night I can. Yes, only on Friday night. I have a well paying job as a craftsman and an accident while “dirty” would put an end to my employment. I have had three accidents in 31 years and Methadone or any other drugs have never been an issue.
Before Methadone I was involved in many drug store burglaries and a couple, I don’t even want to say, of drug stores. Within two weeks of starting Methadone I had a job, my one year old Son and Wife moved back in with me and I now have built equity in my life, house and possessions.
In England they have Dipipanone. I’ve heard it is half the addiction liability of Methadone and a good stepping off drug for Methadone. I have accepted the fact that I will take Methadone until I die. Given the positive effects it has had on my life that is just fine with me.
5:57 am
July 6th, 2011
My last blog was June 4TH. I have since gone to and returned from Jamaica where i recieved ibogaine therapy. Today is July 5 -My last methadone was on june 21. I am now completely drug free !! ibogaine is truly a miraculous substance! I am currently feeling a little weak and sleep is hard to come by By God, NO WITHDRAWL- NO DEPRESSION
I have great mental accuity and have never fealt TRIUMPH like this.
The treatment model in the U.S. for addiction is EFFEED UP! Avoid buprenex-it is a farce! Go to the Dr. you dont really get a health care provider as much as an agent for BIG PHARMA. Wise up truth seekers, get of the hamster wheel and seek release with ibogaine.
9:39 am
July 6th, 2011
In response to Craig- june 26-2011
Perhapse methadone is an appropriate therapy for some people. To me it fealt like an unbearable prison. Shuffling into the clinic once a week, to be viewed with a suspicious and jaundiced eye. Made to “share” in those insipid group N.A. setions . I am an Athiest and being instructed by some slack jawed, mouth breathing, county drone that I must embrace my “higher power” and work steps is to me, oppressive and deeply repugnant. I to am a proffesional in my field and have worked hard to gain modest success. The very idea of one of those county trolls making descisions that effect my life and livelyhood makes me dispondent. Thankfully, I will never be condescended to or treated like “bad child” by some troglitic public “servant” FREE AT LAST
6:54 pm
August 30th, 2011
I go to a private for profit clinic run by CRC in Portland,Oregon. I go every 27 days. One group for an hour and a one on one for a half hour a month. With Kaiser I pay a co pay of $67 a month. Keep your nose clean and your body and methadone maintenance is no more trouble than getting a haircut or mowing the lawn. I don’t see the jaundiced eye or the “county”.
1:19 am
September 11th, 2011
is brown teeth a side effect of long term use of methadone?
7:47 pm
September 21st, 2011
Hi I was on methadone for 2 years.Taking 100mg daily I got a testostorone test done last week bcause I started the gym again and thhy say a normal test level is between 8 and 24 and mine is a Wopping 2….Which my Dr said is extremely LOW!…Does anyone else think it might be due to methadone.
5:48 pm
December 27th, 2011
Um…the reason is plenty clear. Patients gain weight b/c methadone makes you fat. They dance all around it at every clinic everywhere, but that’s why patients gain weight. Maybe it’s to keep you from choosing to be a junkie instead of fat. I’ve been tempted to
4:42 pm
May 5th, 2012
the message is for Tony. Yes Methadone affects your teststosterone, it lowers it a lot. Mine had dropped to four i`m crrently taken replacement hormone treatment.
8:30 am
May 24th, 2012
I have a couple questions,my boyfriend has been on methadone for 15 years and recently has increased his dose to 210 mg a day for pain due to amputation,. Does methadone cause depression, weight gain and sexual disfunction, went to get his testostorone levels checked and no results as of yet. He is depressed and does not want to do anything, he says it is because of the methadone
10:46 am
May 25th, 2012
Hello Tina. Yes, methadone can cause adverse side effects which you describe. Methadone can impact the metabolic and nutritional system of the body, causing weight gain. Methadone can also impact the urogenital system and reduce libido. Depression can be a sign or symptoms associated with acute withdrawal from opiates, but is often present and in the background for many people dealing with former drug use.
Is your boyfriend open to seeking solutions for these conditions? Although depression may be caused by medication, we all have a personal responsibility to take ownership of our health, and to try to do something to make our lives better. But if he’s not willing to try, you cannot force him to.
7:18 am
August 9th, 2012
The constipation is incredibly BAD. You have to find a creative way to fight it. I’ve been on Methadone for nine years, Good Luck.
7:35 pm
October 23rd, 2012
i have been on methadone for 20 yrs now ranging from 120 to 14 mls a day ,yes i have had a couple of relapses but in the past few years i have been severly depressed and prone to the odd panic attack and now am starting to feel pain in my ankles( old injury, broke both ). this has all started since i began my de-tox off methadone, they say it does’nt get u high but keeps you stable is a load of bull. i did’nt realise how high i must have been as since i’ve got dwn to 30 mls from 90 my head is muddled my mind has never been so clear and i’m struggling mentally and physically to cope with it, is there anybody who feels or is having the same problems.
9:01 am
October 24th, 2012
from michael sloan: methadone is unfornatly known to users as chemical handcuffs. I take 115 mils down from 140 for pain management i was hit by a car at 15 years old as a passenger on a motorcycle.I lost half of the leg and the other half was put on crooked ive taken all kinds of opiates for pain since i landed on my back my spine is finished full of arthritis,broke my nose which i had fixwed and it was painful. Many surgeries one to remove a bent steel plate and replace with a heavy duty plate.the blood i was given was full of hep c and so im just bidding my time waiting.
12:11 pm
November 16th, 2012
Hello,
When a patient is detoxing of Methadone say from 50ml, is it safe for him to reduce 5ml every week?
2:31 pm
November 19th, 2012
Hi Stephen. The prescribing doctor is responsible for setting up a dosage tapering schedule. No set dosage reduction schedule is established for everyone who takes methadone. Methadone, in particular, poses difficulties in dosing and increases the risk of toxicity when detoxing. But safe tapering from opiates generally follows a 2 to 3 week regimen with these principles:
o Reduce the daily dose by 10%
o Reduce the dose by 20% every 3-5 days
o Reduce the dose by 25% per week
o Avoid reducing the daily dose by > 50% at any given interval
11:33 pm
December 8th, 2012
Hi Addiction
I have benn begging, yes, literally begging my program, of 15 yrs to take me down!! 40 mgs in 6 months?? I’m still on a very high dose of 100. Have been compliant the whole time, except first year,until I was stable. Hate to say it but I really think its the money they get.
I come once every 2 weeks, I get a urine once a month and a session w/ a counselor every few months!! It is a struggle for them to
take me down. Even though I keep telling them my dose is too high. I even tell them I’m afraid of a car accident, I can not handle it.
BTW I’m not the only “compliant” client with this complaint at this faciluty, Thanks……
3:45 pm
December 30th, 2012
I live in Huntsville, Al. and i have on the clinic twice, i have been on it for 3 years now, and i go for pain. I finally got my s,s. disabilty so i have medicare and medicaid , before i didnt have insurance. now the clinic that i go to is accepting medicaid only and also give paitents a check for gas, what i dont understand is why they want accept medicaid if you have medicare. i would like to know if anyone could explain to me why this is bc i dont understand what so ever. thanks
9:08 am
December 31st, 2012
Hello Loretta. I found some basic information on Medicaid and Medicare here. http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/medicare_beneficiaries_dual_eligibles_at_a_glance.pdf
For additional information, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website and look for contact information there:
http://www.cms.gov/MLNGenInfo
http://www.cms.gov
12:03 am
January 6th, 2013
Loretta
I think its because methadone is a prescription. And you have medicare and Medicaid so you get a Medicare scriot card that pays for your meds. I have the same, however, I think they HAVE to work
with you. You recieve the medicaid because you are below the US recognized poverty level.
I dont think the state of NY can differ greatly with Alabama when it comes to government aid. They take my medicare (also provided
by the govt) and they CAN NOT bill me for whatever medicare wont
cover. They usually dont foot the entire bill.
Can you go to your local (county) gov’t center and ask for, or demand (nicely) some assistance with this?? They can help you.
Let us know how it turns out.
1:57 am
March 18th, 2013
I must say Methadone literally saved my life, If I did not get on the clinic in my mid 20′s I would of wound up in 1 of 3 places. Eather Dead in Prison and the best possible outcome a homeless scum bag on the streets of the Bronx still living that miserable addict life style robbing and stealing for my next fix of dope. Every day I wake up and am living a productive lifestyle it’s because of the help methadone gave me to do so. I am 36 now and have been on the clinic for 11 years. I am now down to 18 MGS and hopefully will be off in 3 months with the slow detox cycle I am on. Those first 5 to 7 years I can not even express how important methadone was for helping me stay Sober. Saying all this it should only be used for a last resort when nothing else works.
9:40 pm
March 27th, 2013
Hey I have been on methadone for almost 3 months, I am not worried about what peolpe say about methadone, the reason is because when you hear about people dieing on methadone is most of the time they are takeing other drugs with the methadone, I feel if I dont take anything with it like xanax, which I was on xanax before I started taking methadone… but I am on 60mg and i am going up 5mg, I need to know dose methadone make you forget stuff? Or has it been reported that people started forgeting stuff when starting the methadone? Thank you very much, I look a lot of stuff up about methadone and I can not find anything about forgetting stuff….
Thank you,
Frances Calaway
5:35 pm
March 28th, 2013
thx but already knew this.and if stress levels increase the adrenaline destroys methadone causing very bad cramps