When not to use methadone and interactions with other medications

You should not use methadone in the following cases:

•    Oversensitivity to methadone or other substances in the solution;
•    Obstructive pulmonary diseases;
•    Respiratory depression, asthma;
•    Traumatic brain injury, increased intracranial pressure;
•    Intake in combination with MAO-inhibitors or less than two weeks after stopping them (usually some types of prescription antidepressants or some over-the-counter medications as well as some drugs also contain MAO-inhibitors);
•    Intake in combination with other medications or drugs that suppress the central nervous system;
•    Acute alcoholism;
•    Prolonged QT interval;
•    Intake in combination with naltrexone;
•    Children and youth below 18 years.

Important: methadone should not be used to treat addictions other than that to opioids (heroin, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone etc.).

Interactions with other medications:

It is important to notify your psychiatrist for all medications that you are currently taking or you intend to take regardless of whether they have or have not been prescribed to you. If you are going to undergo surgery or treatment for another disease, it is important to notify your doctor that you take methadone for your own safety.

The following medications may cause serious life-threatening adverse effects if taken with methadone: other narcotic painkillers; antidepressants; anxiolytics; medications used for treatment of psychological disorders; muscle relaxants; tranquillizers and sedatives (benzodiazepines, zopiclone etc.).

Simultaneous use of methadone and alcohol and/or illicit drugs increases the risk of life-threatening adverse effects.

Important: methadone has a negative effect on activities that require increased concentration and attention. Patients on methadone should not drive or work with machines until their psychiatrist decides that they are stable enough and are ready for these activities.