Heroin dependence - medication treatments |

Methadone remains active in the body for longer than heroin

Its effects last about 24 hours, with the peak effects felt 4 to 8 hours after taking the dose. This means only a single daily dose is needed. This allows someone to remain stable while making further positive changes in their lives.

Methadone also reduces risky behaviours such as injecting and is much cheaper than acquiring heroin or other illicit opioids. Methadone treatment can be long-term (months or years), to help the person reduce the risks of using illicit drugs, or short-term (two weeks or less), to help the person safely withdraw from heroin.

Methadone is usually taken as a drink in syrup form, but is also available in injectable and tablet form (more common if prescribed for pain relief).

Methadone is an opioid

It does not give a person the same euphoric sensation (‘high’) that heroin does, but it has some similar effects and prevents the person from experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Effects may include:

drop in body temperature. Methadone sometimes leads to unpleasant side effects
but adjusting the dose can help

In some cases, side effects are caused by: using other drugs or medications at the same time, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines (tranquillisers). Mixing methadone with other drugs can have serious side effects, including death. While taking methadone, it’s best to avoid: Side effects of methadone treatment can include:

Withdrawal symptoms
if your dose is too low

These types of symptoms will begin around days 1 to 3 and peak at day 6. They include difficulty sleeping, aggression, irritability, abdominal cramps, tremors, spasms and drug cravings. – as with heroin and other opioids, methadone dries up the saliva in your mouth, resulting in tooth decay.

This can be minimised with good oral hygiene and itching.

Methadone does not suit everyone

Some people may be more suited to buprenorphine, or other treatment methods such as detoxification and residential rehabilitation. Methadone is not only used to treat opioid dependence. Specialist pain doctors sometimes prescribe methadone to treat certain.

This type of methadone is more commonly prescribed in tablet form.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist

This means it still produces opioid effects but it is not as strong as a full agonist like methadone. It also has a ceiling effect, where its effects are ‘maxed out’ and can’t get any stronger even if more doses are taken. The two main formulations of buprenorphine in United States are Suboxone (film placed under the tongue) and Subutex (tablet).

Suboxone film is a buprenorphine and naloxone formulation, whereas Subutex is buprenorphine only. Characteristics of buprenorphine include: It is as effective in managing the symptoms of heroin withdrawal. It is less likely on its own to cause overdose compared to methadone.

A short course of buprenorphine can help a person to withdraw from their methadone maintenance program. Only one daily dose (or less) is needed, due to its long-lasting effects. Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (Buvidal®, Sublocade®) is also available for some patients, with injections given either weekly or monthly depending on individual needs.

This new form of buprenorphine helps with some of the challenges people face having to attend a pharmacy or clinic daily to receive their methadone or sublingual buprenorphine dose. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the opiate receptors in the brain, reducing the effects of opioids completely.

It can only be prescribed to prevent relapse for someone who is no longer using opioids.

Characteristics include:

Before starting naltrexone treatment
a person must not have used opioids in the past 7 to 10 days
or they can experience immediate
acute withdrawal symptoms

Naltrexone offers faster detoxification than methadone

By itself, naltrexone does not cause physical dependence

Naltrexone may block the effects of heroin, but it may not directly stop a persons desire to use. Naltrexone treatment may only suit people who are committed to no longer using heroin and other opioids. Naltrexone is a less common treatment option, as remaining abstinent can be difficult for people who have experienced long-term use.

Naltrexone works best as part of a comprehensive treatment program, which includes counselling. Some of the advantages of methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatments include:

They are manufactured using strict controls unlike illicit drugs which can vary in strength
contain harmful fillers

The effects of heroin last only a few hours, while pharmacotherapy treatments can stabilise a person for 24 hours to a couple of days, or longer in the case of long-acting injectable buprenorphine.

For someone that was dependant on heroin, they no longer have to worry about sourcing the drug, which can reduce anxiety With their dependence stabilised, the person can focus on looking after themselves, including improving their health, nutrition, relationships and employment situation. Pharmacotherapy treatments cost less than heroin, so the person has more money to use for other things.

Methadone and Suboxone treatments are offered through a doctor who is an approved prescriber or through a To be part of a program, you need to: Have regular check-ups with your doctor – they will monitor your dose and may test your urine for methadone and other drugs or dispenser for your daily dose (you will need to pay a dispensing fee once a month when attending the pharmacy or dispensing clinic).

If you are on long-acting buprenorphine, you will only need to attend weekly or monthly. This may be optional in some cases, but research shows that people on pharmacotherapy treatment are more likely to be successful if they engage in comprehensive treatment, including counselling. Once stabilised on treatment, there is options for take-away doses of methadone or buprenorphine if it is deemed appropriate by the doctor.

Watch Pharmacotherapy Advice Mediation Support (PAMS), Tel. – A phone service that assists with pharmacotherapy issues between clients, prescribers and dispensers, as well as providing information on how to find a prescriber or clinic. – for confidential AOD counselling, information and referral.

(YoDAA), Michigan.

When a person becomes dependent on heroin Methadone as a treatment for heroin dependence Effects of methadone pain relief feelings of general wellbeing reduced blood pressure slower heart rate Side effects of methadone taking more than the recommended dose taking a dose that is too small, leading to withdrawal symptoms alcohol heroin and other opioids sedatives, tranquillisers and sleeping pills (benzodiazepines) all prescribed pain relievers containing dextropropoxyphene dilantin ( epilepsy medication) any other type of depressant drug, such as GHB Lowered blood pressure , dizziness and shallow breathing, if your dose is too high Tooth decay Menstrual changes Sweating Constipation Sexual dysfunction (low sex drive) Drowsiness Heart palpitations Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Skin rashes Methadone for pain relief chronic pain conditions Buprenorphine as a treatment for heroin dependence Naltrexone as a treatment for heroin dependence Advantages of medication for heroin dependence It reduces the risk of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV and other health risks associated with injecting drug use It reduces the risk of overdose Starting treatment for heroin dependence specialist drug treatment service See a doctor who holds a government permit to prescribe opioid pharmacotherapy treatment Visit your local pharmacist Remember that it might take a few weeks before the correct dose for you is worked out Visit a counsellor Harm Reduction Michigan’s videos about the treatment process Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Your GP (doctor) 1800 443 844 NURSE-ON-CALL 1300606024 for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) DirectLine 1800 888 236 Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service 1800 458 685 (9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) Family Drug Help (616) 555-0400.

Key Points

or other opioids (such as morphine or codeine), they may need treatment and support
Before a person starts a treatment program for drug dependence, it is important that they understand what is involved
doctor experienced in drug treatment, or a drug counsellor, can explain the process
Methadone remains active in the body for longer than heroin
This allows someone to remain stable while making further positive changes in their lives

Heroin dependence - medication treatments

posted on : Monday, 1 Jan, 0001

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