Methadone Maintenance Treatment

How does methadone work?

Methadone works by alleviating the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. A stable and sufficient blood level of methadone stems the chronic craving for opioids. Since methadone is a much longer acting drug than some other opioids, such as heroin, one oral dose daily prevents the onset of opioid withdrawal symptoms--including anxiety, restlessness, runny nose, tearing, nausea and vomiting--for 24 hours or longer.

Methadone diminishes the euphoric effects of other opioids (cross tolerance), without necessarily causing euphoria, sedation or analgesia.⁹ This means, self-administered illicit opioids will not lead to euphoria, making it less likely that clients/patients will either use illicit opioids or overdose.

People receiving methadone maintenance treatment take methadone orally--often it is mixed into an orange drink. This decreases the need to inject other opioids and reduces the health risks associated with injection drug use.

Tolerance to the effects of methadone develops very slowly, allowing many people who are dependent on opioids to be maintained on methadone safely for many years.

When appropriately prescribed and dispensed, methadone is considered a medically safe medication.