What is the proper time dosing of methadone Dr never said..just said 3aday?

Question

on the bottle said 3 aday

Answer 1

Usually when something is prescribed three times a day it is to be taken every 8 hours. 8x3=24 I am concerned that a doctor gave you  a script for Methadone without educating you on it. This is a serious medication with serious consequences if taken wrong. Here is some important info that may help save your life and should have been given to you by your doctor...

Methadone can cause life threatening breathing problems which can lead to death. These problems are more likely to happen when methadone is first started or in someone who is not already taking other narcotic (opioid) pain medicines.

It is very important that you take Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Methadone stays in the system long after the pain has returned. Do not increase your Methadone on your own or take additional medications if you feel it is not working. Methadone can react with medication even 48hrs after taking a dose.  Talk to your doctor about your pain. Your doctor can decide if your methadone dose needs to be changed.

Prevent theft and misuse. Keep your Methadone in a safe place to protect it from theft. Never give Methadone to anyone else even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them and even cause death. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Methadone is used:

to treat moderate to severe pain in people that do not respond to non-narcotic pain medicines;

to control withdrawal symptoms in patients being treated for narcotic drug addiction;

for maintenance treatment of narcotic drug addiction along with other social and medical services. Stopping maintenance treatment of narcotic drug addiction with methadone may result in a return to narcotic drug use.

Who Should Not Take Methadone ?

Do not take Methadone if you:

have severe asthma or severe lung problems.

have a blockage or obstruction in your intestines.

are allergic to methadone or anything else in Methadone

What Should I Tell my Doctor Before I Start Taking Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution?

Methadone may not be right for you. Before starting Methadone , tell your doctor about all your medical and mental conditions including a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction.

Tell your doctor if you:

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may cause serious or life-threatening medical problems when taken with Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution. Be especially careful about other medicines that may make you sleepy, such as other pain medicines, anti-depressant medicines, sleeping pills, anxiety medicines, antihistamines, or tranquilizers. Sometimes, the doses of certain medicines (including methadone) may need to be changed if they are used together. Don't take Methadone with antidepressants or benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonipin, etc)

Do not take any medicine while using Methadone until you have first talked to your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to tell you if it is safe to take other medicines while you are using methadone.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

Take Methadone exactly as prescribed. Follow your doctor’s directions exactly. Your doctor may change your dose based on your reactions to the medicine. Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to change it. Do not take a higher dose of Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution or take it more often than prescribed. This can lead to an overdose and possibly death.

If you take too much methadone or overdose, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Review your medical conditions regularly with your doctor to determine if you still need Methadoneor if the dose needs to be adjusted.

When starting treatment with Methadone for narcotic drug dependence, you should be aware that your dose of methadone will “hold” for longer periods of time as treatment goes on.

Stopping Methadone . Ask your doctor for instructions on how to stop this medicine slowly to avoid uncomfortable symptoms. You should not stop taking Methadone all at once if you have been taking it for more than a few days.

Tell all health professionals that treat you that you take methadone.

After stopping treatment with Methadone flush the unused liquid down the toilet.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Methadone ?Do not drink alcohol while using Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution. It may increase the chance of having dangerous side effects.

Do not take other medicines with without first talking with your doctor.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Methadone ?

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you:

have trouble breathing.

have extreme drowsiness and breathing slows down.

have slow shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing).

fast or slowed heartbeat.

feel faint, very dizzy, confused, have palpitations (irregular heart beat) or any other unusual symptoms.

These can be symptoms that you have taken too much (overdose of) Methadone , or the dose is too high for you. They can also be symptoms of a serious heart reaction. These symptoms can lead to serious problems or death if not treated right away.

Methadone can cause your blood pressure to drop. This can make you feel dizzy if you get up too fast from sitting or lying down.

Methadone can cause physical dependence. Do not stop taking methadone or any other opioid without first talking to your doctor. You could become sick with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms because your body has become used to these medicines. Talk to your doctor about slowly stopping Methadone to avoid getting sick with withdrawal symptoms. Physical dependency is not the same as drug addiction.

For patients using Methadone for pain treatment, there is a chance of abuse or addiction with methadone. The chance is higher if you are or have been addicted to or abused other medicines, street drugs, or alcohol, or if you have a history of mental problems.

Some common side effects of methadone are lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and sweating. Other side effects include weakness, headache, constipation, itching, and dry mouth.

Talk to your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of methadone. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How Should I Store Methadone ?

Keep Methadone in a safe place away from children. Accidental use by a child is a medical emergency that can result in death. If a child accidentally takes methadone, get emergency help right away.

Keep Methadone Hydrochloride Oral Solution at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

Always keep Methadone in a secure place to protect from theft.

Dispose of any unused Methadone remaining from a prescription as soon as it is no longer needed. Unused liquid should be flushed down the toilet.

General Information About Methadone.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in patient information leaflet. Do not use methadone for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give methadone to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Methadone can harm other people and even cause death. Sharing methadone is against the law.

I know this is a lot but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 2

Methadone is normally for pain as needed.. If it doesn't specify a safe bet would be 4-6hours. Be very very careful Methadone can become very addictive quickly!!

Answer 3

did you look at the prescription bottle, can you read it ??? if not, did you ask the pharmasist ??? call the Dr back and ask him/her...