Other Names

• Methadone

Classification

1. •  Opioid, analgesic
   

2. •  Synthetic narcotic
   

3. •  Narcotic detoxification adjunct
   

Action

1. •An opiate agonist that has analgesic activity via an affinity for the opiate receptors.
   

Indications

1. • Used prehospitally for isolated extremity pain due to trauma.  (Do not use in the presence of head or truncal trauma).
   

2. • Recommended for severe, chronic pain and is also used in detoxification and maintenance of patients with opiate abstinence syndrome.
   

Contraindications

1. •Contraindicated in pt’s with hypersensitivity to drugs.
   

2. • Use cautiously in elderly or debilitated patients and in those with severe renal or hepatic impairment, acute abdominal conditions, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, HI, increased intracranial pressure, asthma or other respiratory disorders.
   

Precautions

•Be careful of potentiating effects with other narcotic analgesics.  Use with caution if patient is already taking narcotics.

Adverse Reactions

1. •Sedation, somnolence, clouded sensorium, euphoria, dizziness, choriec movement, seizures, headache, insomnia, agitation, syncope.
   

2. •Hypotension, bradycardia, shock, cardiac arrest, palpitations, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, constipation, urine retention, urticaria.
   

Interactions/Compatibility/Stability

1. •Concomitant use with other CNS depressants potentiates drug’s respiratory and CNS depression, sedation and hypotensive effects.
   

2. •Combined use with anticholinergics may cause paralytic ileus.
   

Special Considerations

1. •The most common signs & symptoms of drug overdose are CNS depression, respiratory depression.
   

2. •Patient who become physically dependent on drug may experience acute withdrawal syndrome if given a narcotic antagonist. Use with caution and monitor closely.
   

Dosages

1. •Preparations: xx
   

•Adult: xx

•Pediatric: xx

Kinetics

Onset:

   IV:             < 3 minutes

  ETT:           2 - 7 minutes

  Aerosol:     8 - 20 minutes

Peak:  

   IV:             1 - 2 minutes

  ETT:           < 5 minutes

  Aerosol:     10 - 20 minutes

Duration:   

   IV:             < 2 minutes

  ETT:           < 5 minutes

  Aerosol:     10 - 20 minutes

Want to help out?  Feel free to fill in a template for a medication that you use in your system and send it to me.  These templates are (and always will be) free for anyone to use.  Send it to Marc.