View source for Methadone

'''Methadone''' is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to [[morphine]]. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to [[heroin]] or other narcotic [[drugs]] without causing the same "high". (Note that it does give you a high if you are not a constant heroin user, or using similiar drugs at daily basis). '''Methadone''' is a synthetic [[opiate]] derivative

'''Methadone''' is also used as a pain reliever and as part of drug addiction detoxification (as [[Buprenorphine]]) and maintenance programs. '''Methadone''' may also be used recreational purposes.



== Methadone other names ==

*Symoron
*Dolophine
*Amidone
*Methadose
*Physeptone
*Heptadon
*Juice



== Chemical name for Methadone ==
6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenyl-3-heptanone

{{drugbox
| IUPAC_name = 6-(Dimethylamino)-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one
| image = Methadone.svg.png
| width = 119
| CAS_number = 76-99-3
|  CASNo_Ref = {{cascite}}
| ChemSpiderID = 3953
| ATC_prefix = N02
| ATC_suffix = AC52
| ATC_supplemental = {{ATC|N07|BC02}}, {{ATC|R05|DA06}}
| PubChem = 4095
| smiles = CCC(=O)C(CC(C)N(C)C)(c1ccccc1)c2ccccc2
| DrugBank = APRD00485
| C=21 | H=27 | N=1 | O=1
| molecular_weight = 309.445 g/mol
| bioavailability = 40-90%
| protein_bound =
| metabolism = [[Hepatic]]
| elimination_half-life = 24-36 h
| pregnancy_category = Reduction of oxygen to unborn child due to depression of breathing
| legal_AU =
| legal_CA =
| legal_UK = Class A
| legal_US = Schedule II
| legal_status =
| routes_of_administration = oral, intravenous, insufflation
| excretion = Urine, Test by specific gravity and bilirubin
| dependency_liability = Moderate
}}

== Methadone and Urine Testing ==

[[Methadone]] does not show up in a basic [[opiate]] test that is part of the standard pre-employment [[drug test]] and which can detect heroin, codeine and morphine (and perhaps oxycodone, hydrocodone, and dilaudid). A Methadone specific test must be performed to detect Methadone. This test is not uncommon and is part of the second tier "extended" test done by many companies. In such Methadone specific tests it can be detected UP TO seven days after consume but that is out of the ordinary, normally it's gone after a few days.


== About Methadone by Mcdermott ==

To cater for those of us seeking to starve the dealers, a newer product is 
becoming more widely available. Methadone was originally developed by the 
Nazi's during World War II. When the supply of [[opium]] was cut off, Nazi 
smackheads like Goering wanted to avoid the possibility of withdrawal, so 
he instructed the German drug companies to produce a wholly synthetic 
opiate that didn't need to rely on the poppy. With typical Teutonic 
efficiency, the chemists came up with a drug that not only worked, but also 
lasted a long time. As a result, Methadone has become the drug of choice 
for doctors who are trying to help users manage their opiate dependency. 
Heroin wears off after a couple of hours, thus requiring several hits each 
day. Methadone, on the other hand, lasts anywhere between 24 and 72 hours, 
depending on the dose that you take and on your individual metabolism.

Methadone comes in several forms
*10mg ampoules
*5 mg tablets, Methadone 
*Linctus - 1 mg in 2.5 ml
*Methadone Mixture DTF - 1 mg in 1 ml.
Again, very rarely somebody will break into a chemist and pharmaceutical methadone 
powder will come onto the market. This stuff is very, very strong, so if 
you ever happen to come across it, be extremely careful how much you use, 
especially if you are only used to street smack.

Many users claim that the problem with methadone is that it lacks heroin's 
intensity. It doesn't give you the same rush when injected and many users 
believe that the high is inferior compared to heroin. How much of this 
resistance to methadone is psychological is unclear. Many users become 
obsessed with the rituals of drug use - cooking up a hit, or rolling a bead 
around the foil. 

In blind trials, users who were given both drugs orally were unable to 
distinguish between the effects of the two drugs. Where heroin does have a 
real advantage over methadone is in withdrawal. Withdrawal from heroin 
should be over after seven to ten days. Withdrawal from methadone though, 
can take up to a month or even longer.

Any discussion of the properties of Methadone must also be an appropriate 
place to warn of the dangers of Cyclazine. In an attempt to replicate the 
effects of a now almost defunct drug called Diconal, desperadoes of the 
drug scene have been known to mix certain travel sickness pills with 
methadone ampoules before injecting them in an attempt to produce a 
Diconal-like rush. In fact, the use of this combination just produces self-
destructive Martians whom all right-thinking junkies shun because of their 
tendency towards compulsive and chaotic behaviour. In the past, I have 
watched many a time-served junkie who after managing to keep it together 
for many years, eventually fell to pieces after discovering Cyclazine. 
Hopefully, as the Diconal experience retreats further and further back into 
the annals of folk memory, fewer people will experiment with this 
combination, but until then, I can only make one recommendation with regard 
to this substance - avoid it like HIV (or the plague.)
*Reference - McDermott's Guide to the Depressant Drugs


{{Opioids}}
{{Analgesics}}
[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Opioids]]
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