News / Education
Methadone: Killer Prescription Drug
Poisoning Deaths From Methadone Rise Rapidly
From 1999 through 2006, poisoning deaths involving methadone rose more rapidly than those involving other opioid analgesics, cocaine, or heroin.
“Methadone, while used by many as a substitute for heroin or other opiates, can e very dangerous,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “It was originally developed in Germany in the late 1930’s as a painkiller, in anticipation of possible shortages of raw opium during the upcoming war and possible blockades by the enemy, which would result in shortages of morphine and other opiates for both the military and civilian populations.
“In the 70’s it became very popular as a replacement drug for heroin drug addiction, and has remained the most popular replacement therapy, although not a cure, for drug addiction.
“However, many don’t realize this, thinking they have to stay on MMT (Methadone Maintenance Treatment) for the rest of their lives. This places them in the dangerous position of being addicted to Methadone, which some will argue is safer than being addicted to street drugs, but the fact remains: drug addicted is still drug addicted.”
The dangers of methadone drug addiction is revealed in the fact that the number of poisoning deaths involving methadone increased nearly sevenfold from almost 790 in 1999 to almost 5,420 in 2006, which is the most rapid increase among opioid analgesics and other narcotics involved in poisoning deaths. In contrast, between 2005 and 2006, the number of poisoning deaths involving other synthetic narcotics increased by more than 50%.
In recent years, methadone has gained popularity among physicians for the treatment of pain.. The increased usage comes as doctors search for an opioid drug that can be dosed less frequently than short-acting drugs like morphine or hydrocodone.
However, On November 29, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory about methadone titled "Methadone Use for Pain Control May Result in Death and Life-Threatening Changes in Breathing and Heart Beat." Methadone can cause slow or shallow breathing and dangerous changes in heart beat that may not be felt by the patient."
The accumulation of methadone could potentially reach a level of toxicity if the dose is too high or if the user's metabolism of the drug is slow. In such a situation, a patient who fared fine after the first few doses could reach high levels of the drug in his body without ever taking more than was prescribed.
“Be very careful if a doctor wants to prescribe methadone,” comments Ms. Rieser. “If it is for pain management, follow the doctor’s directions explicitly. If it is for heroin or narcotic addiction, find a better solution. You don’t want to continue being a drug addict. It is possible to heal from narcotic addiction without using methadone.”
