Methadone Drug Driving Limit = 500 µg/L
Methadone, also known as Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon and many other names. Methadone is mainly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. It offers very similar effects but a longer duration of effect as Heroin or Morphine. Oral doses of methadone can stabilise patients by reducing withdrawal symptons or making it more tolerable. Higher doses of methadone can block the euphoric effects of heroin, morphine, and similar drugs. As a result, properly dosed methadone patients can reduce or stop altogether their use of these substances.
Side Effects –
- Sedation
- Diarrheaor constipation
- Flushing
- Perspiration[]and sweating
- Heat intolerance
- Dizziness or fainting
- Weakness
- Chronic fatigue, sleepiness and exhaustion
- Sleep problems such as drowsiness, trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep
- Constricted pupils
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Hallucinations or confusion
- Headache
- Heart problems such as chest pain or fast/pounding heartbeat
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Respiratory problems such as trouble breathing, slow or shallow breathing (hypoventilation), light-headedness, or fainting
- Loss of appetite, and in extreme cases Anorexia
- Weight gain
- Gynecomastia(enlargement of male breast tissue)
- Memory loss
- Stomach pains
- Itching
- Difficulty urinating
- Swellingof the hands, arms, feet, and legs
- Feeling restless or agitated
- Mood changesEuphoria, disorientation
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Decreased libido, missed menstrual periods, difficulty in reaching orgasmand impotence
- Skin rash
- Seizures
- Central sleep apnea
- Sudden death
Withdrawal symptoms
Physical symptoms
- Lightheadedness
- Tearingof the eyes
- Mydriasis(dilated pupils)
- Photophobia(sensitivity to light)
- Hyperventilation syndrome(breathing that is too fast/deep)
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Sneezing
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Severe itching
- Fever
- Sweating
- Chills
- Tremors
- Akathisia(restlessness)
- Tachycardia(fast heartbeat)
- Achesand pains, often in the joints and/or legs
- Elevated pain sensitivity
- Blood pressure that is too low (hypotension) or too high (hypertension, may cause stroke)
- sudden cardiac death
Cognitive symptoms
- Suicidal ideation
- Susceptibility to Cravings
- Depression
- Reduced breathing (may be fatal between 2–4 hours)
- Spontaneous orgasm
- Prolonged insomnia
- Delirium
- Auditory hallucinations
- Visual hallucinations
- Increased perception of odors (olfaction), real or imagined
- Marked decrease or increase in sex drive
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Nervousness
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Apathy
- Anorexia (symptom)
Methadone treatment may impair driving ability. However, there have been multiple studies verifying the ability of methadone maintenance patients to drive.
