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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
It is very important to not take more methadone if your pain feels worse, as this may cause significant breathing problems. Breathing Problems. Methadone may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing, especially when you start methadone or when your dose is increased. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernailsConfusionShortness of breathFeeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faintingChanges in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeatSlow or shallow breathingExcessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing methadone can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take methadone exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that methadone is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following serious symptoms.Sudden confusion or feeling disorientedFeeling paranoidSuicidal thoughts or actionsSeizuresTrouble breathingHeart Rhythm Changes. Methadone may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Methadone can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take before taking any new medicine, including methadone. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.Sweating, fever, or flushingConfusionFeeling agitated or restlessSeeing or hearing unusual thingsDizzinessFast or racing heartbeatNausea, vomiting, or diarrheaMuscle twitching, stiffness, or tremorSeizuresReduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of methadone can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.Nausea and vomitingWeakness, tiredness, or lack of energyLow blood pressureLow
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