US News
FDA Issues New Methadone Warning
Associated Press
November 27, 2006
CBNNews.com -- WASHINGTON - It's a drug that's been used to treat heroin addiction -- and, increasingly, as a pain-reliever. And now, the government is warning of the dangers of using too much methadone.
The Food and Drug Administration says overdoses of methadone can cause slow or shallow breathing, as well as dangerous changes in heartbeat that patients might not feel.
In a public health advisory, the F-D-A says the side-effects have been seen in patients starting methadone treatment for severe pain, and in those who've switched to the drug after using other strong narcotic pain relievers.
It says the effects have included reports of deaths.
According to health officials, methadone only provides pain relief for four to eight hours, but it can linger in the body for as long as two and a-half days. They say that allows the drug to build up to toxic levels.
More than two million methadone prescriptions were dispensed in 2003.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
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