Monday, August 4, 2014

Methadone Pain Management

Methadone Pain Management
Methadone is a synthetic or processed opioid used as a painkiller or an anti-addictive for those patients struggling to give up addictions to other opioid which work on the same nerve receptors, like morphine and heroin. It boasts many of the same side effects and can, in the same way, be used for managing chronic pain as it has a long duration of action and low cost. Methadone can also be used alongside other drugs and for healing effects, for example cancelling out the euphoric effects of heroine.


In plain English, Methadone pain management is the use of methadone to manage and control chronic pain that is otherwise debilitating to those who suffer from the pain. Methadone pain management is a good alternative to using drugs that are dangerous and more powerful with side effects that are infinitely worse. This does not, however, mean that methadone is not without its own short-comings and is, in its own right highly addictive and contains its own different side effects. Methadone dependence treatment might be necessary if one becomes addicted to this opioid. It is, therefore, extremely important to carefully consider all the pros and cons when considering methadone pain management. Like make prescription drugs it is at present not available over-the-counter but dealt illegally.


Methadone pain management involves taking methadone as a liquid known as linctus though it is also available as tablets or injections depending on the person. With methadone pain management one must always be aware that overdose can have serious consequences and lead to death. In the case of overdose, patients will have difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, small pupils, bluish hued skin and finernails, constipation, slowed heart rate, lower blood pressure, drowsiness and eventually coma. If any one of the aforementioned symptoms becomes apparent then immediate medical attention is needed. As you can see, methadone pain management is serious business and methadone should be treated as any other hard drug.


Methadone has all the side effects of other opioids, including potential physical and psychological dependence. Other side effects also include hypotension, constipation, vomiting, vertigo, and lethargy. Women may also experience their menstrual cycle becoming irregular.


If an individual becomes addicted weaning off of methadone is very difficult and may result in a range of withdrawal symptoms. These include, but are not limited to pain, weakness, powerful craving, trembling, sweating and more. For all these reasons any and all opioids should be considered the last line of defence against pain management and methadone pain management is no different.






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