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Methadone for Chronic Back Pain

Methadone, also referred to as Dolophine and Methadose, is a narcotic sometimes prescribed for chronic back pain. Methadone for chronic back pain works on specific centers in the brain. Patients who have been prescribed methadone might not notice any relief for three to five days.

  1. Administration

    • Patients taking methadone for chronic back pain should take it exactly as directed. Not doing so could result in life-threatening complications. According to RxList, patients should never raise or lower their dosage without their doctor's consent. This drug is most often taken by mouth. It can be taken without food, or with food if that upsets the stomach.

    Side Effects

    • Patients taking methadone for chronic back pain can experience side effects. According to RxList, the common include increased sweating, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Serious side effects include changes in mood or mental status, vision changes, hallucinations, and trouble urinating. The most serious side effects include urine amount differences, severe abdominal or stomach pain, and vision changes.

    Contraindications

    • Patients with certain medical conditions may not be able to take methadone for chronic back pain. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take it. According to RxList, other contraindicated conditions include diseases of the bowels, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys, intestines, and lungs; mental or mood disorders; problems related to breathing, adrenal glands, and sometimes the spine; difficulty urinating; underactive thyroid; brain disorders; and a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

    Warnings

    • Patients should not participate in dangerous activities while taking methadone for chronic back pain. According to RxList, low blood potassium or magnesium levels can increase a patient's risk of QT prolongation, a sometimes fatal cardiac disorder. Patients should not drink alcohol because that can intensify side effects. Patients scheduled for blood tests should tell their doctor they are taking this medication, because methadone can produce false results in some tests.

    Drug Interactions

    • Certain drugs can interact with methadone. To avoid a drug interaction, patients should tell their doctor about every medicine and supplement they take. According to RxList, drugs that might interact include pain medications, HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, liver enzyme-affecting drugs, MAO inhibitors, anxiety medications, sleeping medications, psychiatric medications, and muscle relaxers. Cough and cold medications can increase drowsiness.

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