Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that has been used to treat drug addiction to opiates such as heroin and morphine in the United States since 1971, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is also used to manage chronic pain.

Early History

Methadone was originally developed in Germany in 1937 as a synthetic opiate to treat pain, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 1947, Eli Lilly manufactured it as dolophine in the U.S.; in that same year, the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association named the generic version of the drug methadone.

How Methadone Treatment Works

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, methadone acts on opioid receptors in the brain to prevent both euphoria and withdrawal symptoms in heroin and morphine addicts, who are then enrolled in drug-treatment programs to help them remain opiate-free.

How Methadone is Prescribed

According to a Medline Plus website, methadone can be prescribed as a tablet, a liquid or a concentrated solution--a liquid that must be diluted, usually in juice. Patients receive their prescribed dosages at a methadone treatment center.

Adverse Reactions to Treatment

Reactions to methadone, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, include respiratory distress, nausea and vomiting, restlessness, drowsiness, constipation, water retention, bloating, skin itch or rash, severe sweating, pupil contraction and sexual dysfunction.

Withdrawal from Treatment

Withdrawal from methadone treatment can last two weeks to six months, and should be done under a doctor's care, according to Medline Plus. Symptoms include hypersensitivity, abdominal cramping, sleeplessness, lack of appetite and anxiety.

Source:

nlm.nih.gov: MedlinePlus on Methadone

aafp.org: American Academy of Family Physicians on Methadone

whitehousedrugpolicy.gov: Office of National Drug Control Policy on Methadone