How Methadose Works and How It’s Taken

Methadose contains methadone, a type of opioid called a mu-opioid agonist. It acts on opioid receptors in the body. During maintenance treatment, methadone can help prevent withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours and reduce opioid cravings.

Doctors prescribe Methadose for detoxification or maintenance treatment of opioid addiction. Maintenance treatment should be given along with appropriate medical and social support.

Methadose comes in two forms:

• Oral liquid concentrate
• Dispersible tablet that must be mixed in liquid before it is taken by mouth

Typical Dosing for Opioid Use Disorder

For detoxification or maintenance treatment, the usual initial single dose is 20 to 30 milligrams given under supervision. The first dose should not be more than 30 milligrams. If withdrawal symptoms are not controlled or come back, the person may be checked again after two to four hours. An additional 5 to 10 milligrams may be given if needed. The total dose on the first day should not usually be more than 40 milligrams.

Lower starting doses may be needed for people with low opioid tolerance. Methadone can also build up in the body during the first several days of treatment, so doses need to be adjusted carefully.

During maintenance treatment, clinical stability is most commonly achieved with doses between 80 and 120 milligrams per day. The dose is adjusted for each person.

If Methadose is being reduced after maintenance treatment, the dose should usually be lowered by less than 10 percent at a time. There should generally be 10 to 14 days between dose reductions. Methadose should not be stopped suddenly in a person who is physically dependent on opioids.

The dispersible tablet can only be given in 10-milligram increments, so it may not be the right form for some starting doses or gradual dose reductions.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

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Methadose Side Effects

In clinical studies of methadone, the active ingredient in Methadose, the most common side effects include:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness (sedation)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Methadose can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

• Respiratory depression — Dangerously slow or shallow breathing can be life-threatening.
• Serious heart rhythm problems, including QT prolongation and torsades de pointes — Abnormal heart rhythms can cause fainting, palpitations, or sudden collapse.
• Severe low blood pressure — Hypotension, including orthostatic hypotension and fainting (blood pressure drops when you stand up), can occur.
• Serotonin syndrome — A potentially life-threatening reaction can happen when methadone is taken with certain medicines that affect serotonin.
• Adrenal insufficiency — This is when the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones, more often after more than one month of opioid use.
• Severe allergic reaction — Anaphylaxis can include trouble breathing, swelling, or hives.
• Seizures — Methadone may increase seizure frequency in people with seizure disorders.
• Pulmonary edema — Fluid in the lungs can cause trouble breathing.
• Hypoglycemia — Low blood sugar may require medical care.
• Problems with the esophagus — Due to opioid effects on the esophagus, problems can occur with swallowing, regurgitation, and chest pain that is not caused by the heart or food getting stuck.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

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What To Know Before Taking Methadose

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to methadone or any ingredients in Methadose.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Methadose if you have:

• Significant breathing problems
• Acute or severe bronchial asthma in a place without medical monitoring or emergency breathing equipment
• A known or suspected blockage in your stomach or intestines, including paralytic ileus
• An allergy to methadone or any ingredient in Methadose

Methadose can make you sleepy and may affect your ability to think or react. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Methadose affects you.

Avoid alcohol while taking Methadose. Also tell your healthcare provider about medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Taking these substances with Methadose can cause severe sleepiness, serious breathing problems, coma, or death.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment. Babies exposed to opioids for a long time during pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms after birth.

If you are breastfeeding, watch your baby for unusual sleepiness, trouble breathing, difficulty breastfeeding, or limpness. Contact your baby’s healthcare provider right away if you notice these signs.

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Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

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Learn More

On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid recovery, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Learn more about Methadose and opioid recovery care:

• Methadone — MedlinePlus
• Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: How It Works — MyOpioidRecoveryTeam
• Life After Methadone: Tapering, Withdrawal, and What Comes Next — MyOpioidRecoveryTeam
• MAT for Opioid Recovery: 6 Lived Lessons About Suboxone, Methadone, and More — MyOpioidRecoveryTeam
• Medications To Treat Opioid Use Disorder — Partnership to End Addiction

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