Question

How does methadone maintenance work for the treatment of opioid dependence? Any possible drawbacks?

Answer 1

Methadone maintainence treatment is comprehensive treatment program that involves long term prescribing methadone as an alternative to opioid. Methadone is long acting opioid agonist present for treatment of opioid dependance and to manage chronic pain.

Methadone may be substituted for other opioids because tolerance to one opioids such as methadone also blocks the effect of other opioids which is called as cross tolerance. Therefore basically methaodone uses in MMT(methadone maintenance therapy). Cross tolerance developed between substances that act on same type of receptors in brain. Methadone will suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms, reduces craving for opioids, reduces euphoric effect.

There are some drawbacks for long term intake of methadone like lung and respiratory problems, cardiac arrest and methadone can be inself addictive for patients.