How To Use Methadone (Dolophine)

Methadone is taken by mouth every 8-12 hours. Read the prescription label carefully and take your medicine exactly as recommended by the prescribing doctor. 

Prescribed methadone can be habit-forming. Do not change the dose, dosing frequency, or methadone treatment duration without your doctor’s approval. If your pain is not controlled on methadone, tell your doctor. Do not take a higher dose, and do not take a methadone dose earlier than scheduled to control breakthrough pain.

If you are taking the dispersible methadone tablets, do not chew or swallow them. Mix a tablet in 120 mL (4 ounces) of water or a citrus fruit juice or citrus-flavored drink. Consume the mixture right away. Add some liquid to the residue in the cup and swallow it to make sure you take all the medicine.

If you are taking methadone solution, measure the dose using a dosing syringe or cup that came with your medicine. Do not use a household spoon, as this can result in wrong dosing.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of methadone and increase the dose if your pain is not controlled. They may adjust your methadone dose from time to time if you are on long-term opioid treatment. Do not change the dose or daily dosing frequency of methadone without talking to your healthcare provider. Also, do not stop methadone treatment without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping this medicine can lead to life-threatening methadone withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will gradually reduce your methadone dose.

Missed dose: Methadone is usually taken as needed to control pain. If you are taking methadone on a scheduled basis and forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take multiple doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store methadone at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets. An accidental overdose of methadone sulfate can be fatal, especially in children.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired methadone should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw methadone in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired, unneeded, or unused methadone is through your local waste disposal company or a medicine take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on methadone. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about methadone, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.

Discounted prices for methadone (Dolophine) start at $12.63.

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