David String

Methadone

Common street names: Meth, Done, Dollies, Junk, Fizzies

Brand names: Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine

Chemical name: Methadone Hydrochloride

Forms of Methadone

Injection

Oral Pills Oral Liquid

Action of Methadone Methadone works by blocking the opioid receptors of the brain that

bind opiates such as heroin.

Chemical Formula: 6-(dimethylamino)-4,4-diphenyl-3-hepatanone

hydrochloride

Action of Methadone

There are two major affects from blocking these receptors:

1. Methadone will block these receptors for up to 24 hours and even if

a person addicted to heroin takes heroin after taking methadone,

the person will not feel the same effects of the heroin that he or

she has felt before.

2. The action of methadone is associated with slower and less intense

withdrawal symptoms than heroin. This can help people going

through withdrawal by helping them to avoid the unpleasant

withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin.

History of Methadone

Synthesized in Germany at the pharmaceutical laboratories of I.G.

Farben in 1939.

Product of a research chain in the area of synthetic antipyretics

(fever reducer) and analgetics (pain relievers).

Made to be a painkiller.

Brought to the United States in 1947.

Medical use of Methadone Opioid pain reliever, similar to morphine.

Reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other

narcotic drugs.

Used in drug rehabilitation centers.

Schedule Rating of Methadone

Methadone is a Schedule 2 controlled substance.

Schedule 2 drugs have a high potential for abuse which may lead

to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Schedule rating of drugs varies from 1 through 5.

Schedule rating 1: no medical use and highly addictive.

Schedule rating 5: has medical use and not highly addictive.

Physiological Effects

Constriction of pupils

Respiratory depression

Strong analgesia (pain relief)

Dry mouth

Muscle flaccidity (relaxed muscles)

Constipation

Decreased heart rate

Psychological Effects

Mood swings (happy to sad)

Sedation

Depressed reflexes

Altered sensory perception

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Lightheadedness

Side Effects

Nausea/Vomiting

Constipation

Urinary retention

Convulsions

Cardiac arrest

Coma

Death

Bibliography

www.methadoneabusehelp.com/methadone-street-names

www.drugs.com/methadone.html

www.rxlist.com/dolophine-drug.htm

www.medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/methadone

www.indro-online.de/discovery.pdf

www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/index.html

www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/job185drugs/methadone.htm