Long-Acting Opioids
Methadone
(Dolophine®) tablets
Methadone (Dolophine) is a unique type of opioid medication that lasts in the body for a long period of time. It works by binding two different types of pain receptors (called opioid receptors and NMDA receptors). This is different than other opioid pain medications and makes methadone more effective for certain types of cancer pain. Like other “long-acting opioids,” methadone controls pain by keeping a steady dose of opioid pain medications in your system throughout the day.
How do I use this medicine?
You should take this medicine on a regular schedule, (at the same time every day), according to your prescription. Tap if you want more guidance about making a schedule for taking your long-acting opioid medication.
If your pain is tolerable or you don’t have pain, continue taking your methadone. It is working in the background to lower your overall pain level.
You can take this medicine with or without food. But, make sure to swallow the tablet whole (never cut or crush it), with some water or another beverage.
If you forget to take this medicine: If you are no more than 2-3 hours late, take it as soon as you realize that you have missed the dose and take your next dose on the original schedule. If you are more than 2-3 hours late, talk to your care team. They will likely have you take your missed dose, but they may also ask you to retime your next scheduled dose.
To learn more about opioids, watch this video:
What are the side effects?
Some people notice side effects after starting methadone or increasing their dose.
Methadone doesn’t reach its full level in your body until about 3 days after taking it consistently. Doctors call this reaching “steady state.”
For this reason, you may not experience the full side effects of methadone (or full pain relief) for up to 3 days after starting it or increasing the dose. The side effects of methadone are similar to most opioids, including:
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Constipation
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Sedation (sleepiness)
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Dizziness
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Fatigue
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Nausea
In addition to these side effects, methadone can also put you at risk for an abnormal heartbeat (called prolonged QT interval). If the “prolonged QT interval” is very severe, it can put you at risk for a dangerous heart rhythm problem. Your doctor will likely monitor your heart with an electrocardiogram (ECG) while you are taking this medicine.
Tap to learn about the different side effects and ways to manage them.
