Methadone
Methadone
Also known as?
Dolophine
| ‘Medicinal’ drugs (risk based approach) | Threshold limit in microgrammes per litre of blood (µg/L) |
|---|---|
| Methadone | 500µg/L |
Why may this be prescribed?
Opiate manufactured for use as a painkiller as it depresses the nervous system and as a substitute for heroin in the treatment of heroin addition. Similar effects to heroin but doesn’t deliver the same degree of buzz/high.
Side Effects?
- Sedation, dizziness, hallucinations or dizziness, blurred vision.
WARNING:
Driving licence is invalid while on a methadone treatment programme unless agreed by the DVLA following receipt of supportive medical advice.
Likely level of drug expected to be impaired?
500µg/L
Following a single oral dose of 15 mg, blood concentration is expected to be 75µg/L at 4 hours.
Chronic oral administration of 100-200 mg produces an average peak plasma concentrations 830µg/L at 4 hours, decreasing to 460µg/L at 24 hours.
How long will it take to leave my system?
Detection time starts – 1-4 hours after taking.
- Urine – Up to 12 days.
- Hair – Up to 90 days.
- Saliva – Up to 7 days.
- Blood – Up to 1 day.
