What is the drug methadone?

what dose it do and how damaging is it
Answers:
Methadone (Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon, Phy and many others) is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic, antitussive and a maintenance anti-addictive for use within patients on opioids. It was developed in Germany in 1937. Although chemically unlike morphine or heroin, methadone also act on the opioid receptors and thus produces many of the same effects. Methadone is also used in managing chronic torment owing to its long duration of action and very low cost. In late 2004, the cost of a one-month supply of methadone be $120, as compared to an equivalent analgesic amount of meperidine (pethidine) at $240, up to $500 and more for hydromorphone, morphine, fentanyl, Vicodin (brand name of the generic hydrocodone with acetaminophen) and extended-release oxycodone.

Methadone is useful contained by the treatment of opioid dependence. It has cross-tolerance with other opioids including heroin and morphine and a long duration of effect: oral doses of methadone can stabilise patients by mitigating opioid withdrawal syndrome. Higher doses of methadone (60–80 mg+) can block the euphoric effects of heroin, morphine, and similar drugs. As a result, properly dosed methadone patients can make smaller or stop altogether their use of these substances.

Methadone is approved only for the treatment of opioid dependence. It is not intended to reduce the use of non-narcotic drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or alcohol.

As for the amount of damage, it can wreak things like respiratory depression like other opioids, so it can cause demise if taken in large enough amounts. Source(s): Wikipedia
It's a synthetic opioid that have similar effects to Heroin and Morphine. However, because it is chemically not similar to these drugs at all, It is much less habit forming. That is why it is used to support junkies, in theory. They still receive the opioid effects while using a less-addictive drug. Source(s): http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/methadon…

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