Methadone Side Effects on Heart, Substance Abuse & Treatment

What is Methadone?

Can you snort methadone? Some drug users crush and snort or inject this drug to get high. These individuals may also get addicted to the drug and suffer methadone withdrawal until the drug is eliminated from the system. Snorting methadone is a quick drug administration route, sending it straight across the blood-brain barrier for a near-instantaneous high. The risk of an opioid overdose when taking methadone in this manner is much higher than when taking it orally. Less of the drug is needed for fatal results as well.

Methadone Side Effects 

Methadone may cause some unwanted side effects, along with its needed effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, they may need medical attention [2].

Side Effects Needing Immediate Medical Attention

Check with your physician immediately if any of the following side effects arise while taking methadone:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose happen while taking methadone:

Symptoms of overdose

Side Effects Not Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Some methadone side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may disappear during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Methadone Side Effects on Heart

Does Methadone cause heart problems? Methadone may cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Call your doctor once if you have a headache, chest pain, severe dizziness, and fast or pounding heartbeats. Your heart function may need to be checked during treatment.

Methadone Side Effects on Stomach

Methadone can cause various side effects associated with an upset stomach, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Many similar symptoms are associated with opiate withdrawal, but while taking methadone, they are generally less severe and will subside on their own in time. If you experience any side effects that prevent you from holding down fluids for a prolonged period, you should seek prompt medical attention, as this could lead to dehydration and other serious complications.

How To Take Methadone

Methadone comes as a tablet, a dispersible (can be dissolved in liquid) tablet, a solution (liquid), and a concentrated solution to take by mouth. This drug may be taken every 8 to 12 hours when used to relieve pain. If you take this drug as part of a treatment program, your doctor will prescribe the best dosing schedule for you. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take methadone exactly as directed.

If you are using the dispersible tablets, do not chew or swallow before mixing the tablet in a liquid. If your doctor has told you to take only part of a tablet, break it carefully along the lines that have been scored into it. Place the tablet or piece of the tablet in at least 120 mL (4 ounces) of water, orange juice, or a citrus fruit drink to dissolve. Drink the entire mixture right away. If some tablet residue remains in the cup after you drink the mixture, add a small amount of liquid to the cup and drink it all.

Your doctor may change your dose of methadone during your treatment. Your doctor may decrease your dose or tell you to take this drug less often as your treatment continues. If you experience pain during your treatment, your doctor may increase your dose or may prescribe an additional medication to control your pain. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with methadone. Do not take extra doses of this drug or methadone earlier than scheduled, even if you experience pain.

Do not stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably want to decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking methadone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, teary eyes, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, muscle pain, widened pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes), irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, stomach cramps, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Methadone Warnings

Before taking methadone,

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to methadone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the methadone product you plan to take. 
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. Many other medications may also interact with methadone, so tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort and tryptophan.
• Tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or have had a blockage in your intestine or paralytic ileus (a condition in which digested food does not move through the intestines). Your doctor may tell you that you should not take this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had difficulty urinating; an enlarged prostate (a male reproductive gland); Addison’s disease (a condition in which the adrenal gland does not make enough of certain natural substances); seizures; or thyroid, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. If you breastfeed during your treatment with this medication, your baby may receive some methadone in breast milk. Watch your baby closely for any changes in behavior or breathing, especially when you start taking this drug. If your baby develops any of these symptoms, call your baby’s doctor immediately or get emergency medical help: unusual sleepiness, difficulty breastfeeding, difficulty breathing, or limpness. 
• Talk to your baby’s doctor when you are ready to wean your baby. You will need to wean your baby gradually so that your baby will not develop withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops receiving methadone in breast milk.
• You should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men and women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist about taking this drug.
• You should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• You should know that this medication may cause dizziness when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking methadone. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
• You should know that this medication may cause constipation. Talk to your doctor about changing your diet or using other medications to prevent or treat constipation while taking this drug.

Methadone and Heart Problems

Can Methadone cause heart problems? Methadone is an opioid drug that alters activity in the nervous system and brain. It binds to opioid receptors that help to regulate different bodily systems.

One of the bodily systems affected by this prescription drug is the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Opioid drugs, such as methadone, can affect the heart muscle and its general function, which can—in serious cases—lead to cardiac problems.

Methadone side effects on heart can occur in some ways. When used as prescribed by a doctor, methadone side effects on heart happen in a small portion of individuals.

Methadone side effects on heart can include:

The severity of methadone’s effects on the heart can vary. Severe heart problems, including cardiac arrest, can be lethal. For this, emergency medical treatment may be needed.

Methadone And Congestive Heart Failure

Can Methadone cause heart problems? Some opioid users happen to have Methadone side effects on heart. The risk of developing Methadone side effects on heart is higher when it is taken with other substances that increase the risk of heart problems, such as alcohol and cocaine.

Cardiac issues, including heart rhythm disorder and palpitations, have been reported as potential Methadone side effects on heart. For this reason, the FDA has warned that these side effects are not common but can occur in patients who take methadone for long durations.[3]

Risk Factors For Heart Problems While Taking Methadone

Not everyone who takes this medication for opioid addiction treatment or chronic pain will experience Methadone side effects on heart. Some factors can increase this risk in some individuals.

Risk factors for heart problems might include:

People with chronic health issues and elderly patients may be at greater risk for experiencing Methadone side effects on heart.

Signs Of Heart Problems While Taking Methadone

Certain warning signs and symptoms can identify some Methadone side effects on heart. If you experience methadone side effects on heart, contact your doctor immediately.

Signs and symptoms of Methadone side effects on heart might include:

If someone you know collapses, is unable to wake up, or is unresponsive after taking this drug, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.

Methadone Abuse

Methadone works on the brain in the same way that many other opioids do. It changes how the body reacts to pain, causing the nervous system to respond in a way that causes the user to feel less pain. Methadone has a sedative effect, which means it can make the person feel sleepy or calm. When taken in high doses, that sedative effect can become a euphoric high associated with other opioids.

Methadone Interactions

Many individuals taking prescribed methadone also take other medications. People may not always be aware that combining or mixing this drug with other medicines (including prescribed and non-prescribed drugs) can alter the effects of the drugs or result in adverse drug events. Combining methadone and benzodiazepines may be especially dangerous.

Patients taking methadone and other medicine should discuss their medications with their doctor or pharmacist. Patients should know that not all people will experience adverse events when taking other drugs with methadone and that there may be times when their doctor will need to prescribe other medicines along with methadone.

Mixing Methadone and Alcohol

Methadone and alcohol can cause many profound effects, and both substances can potentially cause addiction. Combining these two substances can be even more devastating and lead to death.

Taking alcohol and methadone together is particularly dangerous because of the interactions between the two substances. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), when taken simultaneously, alcohol can increase the risk of experiencing serious and life-threatening side effects from methadone.

Using methadone and alcohol together can create health concerns that are more severe based on the combined use of these two substances. People who combine methadone and alcohol may be more likely to experience the following:

Addiction to Methadone

Addiction to Methadone can be a bit of a taboo topic, as many people in the medical community see the drug as a necessary aid in helping Heroin addicts recover. But as with any opioid, addiction is an all-too-common side effect. Methadone addiction can come about because the drug eases a user’s pain. As time goes on and tolerance builds, more of the drug is needed for the same effect.

Like all narcotics, methadone can lead to addiction and overdose. It can be misused like other opioids. It must be taken exactly as a certified Opioid Treatment Program provider directed. This certification is to be obtained from SAMHSA. It is also important to note that a history of alcohol use, heart or respiratory problems, or mental health issues can cause adverse side effects when taking methadone.

Once physical dependency happens, a person will likely experience withdrawal symptoms upon no longer taking methadone. The amount of time it takes for withdrawal symptoms to set in is about two to three days post-use, and symptoms can last up to 10 days. It is important to consult a health care provider before stopping the drug due to the withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

Methadone Addiction Treatment

There is a strong link between mental health and substance abuse. Individuals who struggle with mood disorders like depression, ADHD, and anxiety are more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol, often to self-medicate symptoms of their underlying mental health condition. These co-occurring disorders can make each other worse without proper treatment.

If you’re asking, “does methadone cause heart problems?” you should also be aware of the risks of abuse and addiction in misusing this drug. If you are experiencing methadone withdrawal, you must first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When a mental health professional has evaluated the symptoms, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional.

Medically-Assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of methadone withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete methadone detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can offer the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of methadone withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution-focused therapy is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Prescription drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. This strategy treats both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

Medication-Assisted Treatments