| METHADONE:
 German
scientists synthesized methadone during World War II
because of a shortage of morphine. Although chemically
unlike morphine or heroin, methadone produces many of
the same effects. Introduced into the United States
in 1947 as an anlgesic (Dolophine), it is primarily
used today for the treatment of narcotic addiction (Methadone).
The effects of methadone are longer lasting than those
of morphine-based drugs. Methadone's effects can last
up to 24 hours, thereby permitting administration only
once a day in heroin detoxification and maintenance
programs. Methadone is almost as effective when administered
orally as it is by injection. Tolerance and dependence
may develop, and withdrawal symptoms, though they develop
more slowly and are less severe than those of morphine
and heroin, are more prolonged. Ironically, methadone
used to control narcotic addiction is frequently encountered
on the illicit market and has been associated with a
number of overdose deaths.
Closely related to methadone, the synthetic compound
levo-alphacetylmethadol or LAAM (ORLAAM) has an even
longer duration of action (from 48 to 72 hours), permitting
a reduction in frequency of use. In 1994 it was approved
as a treatment of narcotic addiction. Buprenorphine
(Buprenex), a semi-synthetic Schedule V narcotic analgesic
derived from thebaine, is currently being investigated
as a treatment of narcotic addiction.
Another close relative of methadone is dextropropoxyphene,
first marketed in 1957 under the trade name of Darvon.
Oral analgesic potency is one-half to one-third that
of codeine, with 65 mg approximately equivalent to about
600 mg of aspirin. Dextroproxyphene is prescribed for
relief of mild to moderate pain. Bulk dextropropoxyphene
is in Schedule II, while preparations containing it
are in Schedule IV. More than 100 tons of dextropropoxyphene
are produced in the United States annually, and more
than 25 million prescriptions are written for the products.
This narcotic is associated with a number of toxic side
effects and is among the top 10 drugs reported by medical
examiners in drug abuse deaths.
[Abstracted from D.E.A. website q.v.]
| METHADONE |
| Effects |
| Sedation, euphoria, reduced anxiety,
and reduction in urge for the stronger opiates are
the features which create the abusers' market. Side
effects are drowsiness, nausea, constipation, constricted
pupils, and slowed breathing. WITHDRAWL WILL REQUIRE
HOSPITALIZATION! |
| Incidence
of Abuse |
| Frequent and widespread! |
| Chemical
Name |
Methadone Hydrochloride (a synthetic
narcotic)
Trade names are Methadone and Dolophine. |
| Forms
and Street Names |
| Fizzies, Dollies |
| Preferred
routes of administration |
| Manufactured as tablets, though probably
injected frequently by heavy abusers. |
| Length
of time detectable after user |
| 7-10 days! [Half life is 36-48 hours] |
| Prescription
(Legal) Use: |
| Methadone is an opiate of fairly
low potency and less tachyphylaxis and addiction
potential than other opiates. For this reason, methadone
has long been used as an "intermediate"
adjunct in detoxification and rehabilitation programs.
Often persons in rehab (especially if numerous relapses
have occurred) will be on Methadone for very long
periods of time and will have a prescription. It
must be remembered, however, that Methadone itself
is an opiate and is addictive... so much so, that
there is actually very active "marketplace"
of Methadone abusers. It is also important to remember
that the savvy abuser [who may be in need of help]
will probably obtain a prescription to cover the
contingency of "getting caught" on a drug
test! |
| Immunoassay
Screen Sensitive To: |
| Only to Methadone! |
| Confounding
drugs (or factors): |
| None known! |
| Screening
Cut-off: |
| 300 ng/ml |
| Confirmation
GC/MS Cut-off: |
| 300 ng/ml |
| Facts
for Verifying M.R.O |
| Sometimes straightforward. There will almost always
be a history of previous opiate addiction or other
abuse problems. |
|
