Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of narcotic addiction.

How does it work?

• Levomethadyl acetate hydrochloride binds to narcotic receptors in the brain. This can help with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Do not take street drugs. The combination could kill you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• You may feel sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Difficult breathing.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant containers at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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