Methadone

Lore & Background

Methadone was developed in Germany in the late 1930s by Gustav Ehrhart and Max Bockmühl. It is made by chemical synthesis and acts on opioid receptors.

Reader's Guide

Methadone is a key medication for managing opioid use disorder, used either as maintenance therapy or for withdrawal management. It relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and can be prescribed for daily use over varying durations, including lifelong maintenance. Its use for addiction is strictly regulated in the US, requiring certification by SAMHSA and registration with the DEA. Methadone maintenance therapy has been shown to reduce transmission of bloodborne viruses like hepatitis B, C, and HIV. However, methadone carries serious risks, including respiratory depression, QT prolongation, and overdose. Withdrawal from methadone is reported as significantly more protracted than from shorter-acting opioids. Its adverse effects include sedation, constipation, tooth decay, and abnormal heart rhythms. Methadone is usually taken by mouth and rarely by injection.

Did You Know?

• Methadone was developed in Germany in the late 1930s by Gustav Ehrhart and Max Bockmühl.
• Methadone is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
• Methadone withdrawal symptoms are reported as being significantly more protracted than withdrawal from opioids with shorter half-lives.