Methadone Hydrochloride Overdose
While methadone does have benefits in terms of helping to treat opioid addiction, it also has risks. Since methadone affects opioid receptors, when large doses are used, it can create euphoria. Some people misuse methadone. There’s also the feeling that when methadone is used as an addiction treatment medication, it’s just replacing an addiction, rather than helping treat it.
Another reason methadone overdoses occur more frequently than people might believe is that it is a mild drug, and it can take a while to start showing effects. It can also take large doses for methadone to create a euphoric high. To achieve certain effects, a person may take extreme amounts of methadone, which can lead to an overdose. In someone not tolerant to opioids, it could take only around 25 mg of methadone to overdose, and in opioid-tolerant patients, a dose of even 200 mg could end up being fatal. Of course, these are general numbers, and there’s no way to determine what dose will cause an overdose in an individual because of the many unpredictable variables.
Other signs of a methadone hydrochloride overdose can include:
- A bluish tint to lips and fingernails
- Cold, clammy skin
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness, nodding off or apparent loss of consciousness
- Pinpoint pupils
- Vomiting
- A weak pulse
- Fainting
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Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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