Medication Information
for: Methadone
(meth-a-don)
Why? Methadone helps
to ease the symptoms of withdrawal from morphine, fentanyl or heroin. Methadone
treats symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, yawning,
shaking arms, legs or hands and irritability. When the dose is just right for
the baby, it doesn't cause sleepiness. The dose is weaned very gradually until
the baby doesn't need the medicine any more.
How? Give methadone
as ordered. Do not stop the medicine or give extra without talking to a doctor.
If you miss a dose, do not try to make up for it by giving more. Methadone is
usually given one or two times a day.
Your baby's dose is:
_________mg which is_________ml,
________times a day at _________o'clock and _________o'clock.
The dose is to be decreased
gradually over a few weeks.The NICU staff will set a schedule to follow
when the baby leaves the hospital. Follow this schedule if no symptoms of withdrawal
occur. If symptoms of withdrawal occur, call the doctor or clinical pharmacist
for advice on weaning more slowly. Methadone does not have to be kept in the
refrigerator, but should be kept away from children or anyone with a drug abuse
problem who lives in or visits the house.
Any problems? Most
side effects of methadone would be seen in the hospital before the baby goes
home. Methadone problems usually only come if the dose is weaned too fast. Then
the problem is that the symptoms of withdrawal occur.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
vomiting, diarrhea, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, yawning, shaking and crying,
especially a high pitched cry. Call the doctor if these symptoms happen.
Probably the dose just needs to be weaned more slowly. Since methadone lasts
a long time in the baby's body, the symptoms might not occur for 2 or 3 days
after the dose is decreased.
Methadone is poisonous
if too much is given. It can cause the baby to have shallow breathing, or
stopped breathing (apnea). Call the doctor if the baby is so sleepy that it
cannot be awakened. Call the doctor if the baby vomits two regularly scheduled
doses.
Pharmacy rules about
refills. Pharmacies have extra rules about prescriptions for methadone.
You should not need more of the medicine if the planned schedule works. If you
do need more medicine, you will need a written prescription, which can only
be filled at Mercy Pharmacy at St. John's Mercy Medical Center at 314-251-7444.
Allow extra time to fill methadone prescriptions. Check your supply before vacations,
holidays and other times when you may not be able to obtain more.
ALWAYS KEEP ALL MEDICATIONS
OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Kelly Burch, PharmD
September, 2001
Reviewed and revised August 2004
