Methadone

Methadone is also used to relieve pain following heart attacks, trauma and surgery.

Pharmacotherapy use of drugs to treat Heroin/Opioid addiction:

Methadone and Buprenorphine are opioids taken as a replacement for heroin and other opioids as part of treatment for dependence on these drugs.
Replacing a drug of dependence with a prescribed drug in this way is known as pharmacotherapy. 

How effective is it?

Methadone and Buprenorphine treatment is more likely to be successful if it is part of a comprehensive treatment program, which addresses the body, mind and environment in which heroin has been used.

Slang names  Done or ‘the done’.

How is it used?

The Victorian pharmacotherapy program uses the syrup form of methadone: Methadone Syrup® and Biodone Forte®.3 

Visible signs of potential Methadone use:

• Sweating

• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting

• Abdominal cramps

• Aching muscles and joints

• Irregular periods

• Rashes and itching

• Lethargy, mental clouding and confusion

Please note the effects listed in this information do not automatically indicate that a person is under the influence of illicit drugs. This is only a guide to the possibility.