my cousin has hepatitis c& has back pains alot. is it a possible a doc would prescribe her methadone?

Answer 1

try anna nicole's old doc, he might. there are thousands of people with hep C. hope they're not all on methadone

Answer 2

Methadone is a synthetic opioid. Although structurally dissimilar to morphine (MS Contin), methadone has significant analgesic qualities. Because the high dosages used in preliminary testing of methadone caused substantial side effects, the drug was not used clinically for several years.1 During the 1950s, methadone emerged as a treatment for opioid addiction and has remained the primary therapy for this condition for more than 40 years. Recently, methadone has been used to manage cancer pain and other chronic pain states. Its unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics make methadone a valuable option, but physicians should be aware of possible side effects.

Prescriptive Authority

Methadone is listed on schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. Initially, its use was limited to "detoxification treatment” or "maintenance treatment” within U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved narcotic addiction programs.2 This restriction was removed in 1976; all physicians with appropriate Drug Enforcement Agency registration now are allowed to prescribe methadone for analgesia.3 An indication, such as "for chronic pain,” may be added to the written prescription to clarify its purpose. State laws vary regarding this documentation requirement. Not all pharmacies stock methadone because of its association with the treatment of heroin addiction.

Answer 3

That would be up to the doctor, but with Hepatitis C, probably not, although they are now using Methadone to treat some forms of pain.

Answer 4

Methadone is not a first drug of choice for anyone .You start low and move up with pain meds maybe there is a meth addict in the family somewhere since the drug of choice is way up on the pain med scale .This is no drug to play with .I take this daily I do not get high or have any side effects that are noticeable .This drug will kill you we here in my town just lost a 20 male .His mother broke her back in a wreck and he had swimmers ear and he took 4 5mg in 2 days and he is no longer with us.It is a dangerous drug and your cousin should ONLY use it AFTER he has exhausted all other meds.

Answer 5

Methadone:
Also known as Dolophine:

Methadone is a misunderstood, underprescribed, medication for chronic pain. Even doctors do not understand its potential for improving chronic pain sufferers lives.

Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever for medium to severe pain. It is also used in the treatment of heroin (opiate dependence: Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine, ect) addiction.

Methadone was invented/discovered by I.G. Farbendustrie at Hoechst-am Main, Germany. Lacking any resemblance to any known compounds its analgesic (pain relieving) actions were not expected. In spite of the morphine shortage, methadone was NOT used until after the war (World War 2).

*WARNING* As compared to other opiates in which the withdrawal period is a week to ten days, heavy methadone users can expect to not recover for up to 5 or 6 weeks.
Oral methadone is very different than the IV methadone. Oral methadone is partially stored in the liver for later use. IV methadone acts more like heroin.

One of the positive effects of oral methadone is that unlike taking morphine where the morphine user is very uninterested in life and very passive, just basically waiting for their next dose. Methadone users are more engaged in living their life. Without the waiting or craving.

Methadone is not prescribed by your typical physician because of the stigma attached to methadone as a detox medication. If you would like to read input from a pain management physician about the prescribing of methadone read this from Dr. David

In most states and cities you must go to a pain clinic or a methadone maintenance clinic to be prescribed methadone. All physicians are allowed to prescribe methadone for pain. Click here to read about prescribing methadone.

Methadone is not like morphine when it comes to chemical make up. Though it is an agonist opiate. Methadone is more like propoxyphene (Darvon/Darvocet).

Methadone is a long acting pain reliever, that is why it is such a good pain medication for chronic pain sufferers and for helping the addicts get through life without having to spend their misserable existance trying to keep a steady supply of heroin around or nearby, just to physically get through a day.

Almost all the other opiate pain relievers (percocet, lortab, lorcet, vicodin, darvocet, ect) are short acting. They worked quite well at first thou only for a certain amount of time. When I first took Methadone it did not help much until I hit the amount that I needed daily. After that I have done well compared to the missery with the other opiates. When I started it lasted about 6-8 hours relieving pain. Over time Methadone did not have the 6-8 hours relief as in the beginning but it sure is the only medication that has kept on working enough to relieve enough pain where I could finally do some of my daily normal life functions and methadone also enabled me by pain relief to stop thinking of suicide just about every day

Answer 6

The doc will probably prescribe a pain medication based on it's clearance by the liver. If they have hepatitis this will be a big concern.

Answer 7

Methadone is absolutely presribed for pain. Most people are familair with it as being used for heroin addiction but it has been used more and more because it has been found to be excellent for pain relief while not having the same issues with euphoria as other opioids.

* I'm adding something to address the person who said this is definetly not given to someone with back pain. I'm here to tell you it is. I was given this not very long ago for my chronic back issues. It was effective for the pain but I personally had side effects that cause me to stop using it.
When my doctor gave this to me I said the same thing some of you are thinking...isn't this given to heroin addicts? He said yes, it is known to be given for people trying to get off heroin and other opiates but more recently it has been accepted as a very good option for chronic pain.
If some of you don't, or refuse to believe this call your doctor or pharmacist. They'll set you straight.

Answer 8

Why methadone? Who's the drug addict......your cousin.....or you?

If she really has back pain, she needs to see her doctor. There are many medications that are better for pain. Methadone is not really used for that. It's used primarily for heroin withdrawal.

Answer 9

Absolutly not. Methadone is for #1 opiate addicts and for pain it is for cancer and people with very chronic pain. Not back pain.

Answer 10

I think so. I've heard of people getting pain killers mixed with a heroine type drug. The pain is so bad the reality distorting properties of the drug can be useful.