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Drug group - Opiates
Street names
Meth, phy, juice, linctus
Brand name
Physeptone. (Martindale), Methadose. (Rosemont), Methex. (Generics)
Drug effect
Painkiller and depressant (downer). Effects last up to 24 hours which is longer than heroin
Description
White scored tablet (5mg)
Clear ampoules (10mg/mL)
Green mixture (1mg/mL)
Straw-coloured linctus (2mg/5mL)
Oral concentrate (10mg/mL - blue), (20mg/mL - brown)
Therapeutic use
Severe pain, opiate dependence, untractable cough, cough in terminal illness
Street use
Swallowed, injected
Dependency
Yes
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are slower to develop than with heroin, but last longer. Flu-like symptoms appear up to 2 days after last dose, peak after 5-6 days and fade after 14 days. Sleeplessness may last for longer. It has been suggested that withdrawal is more difficult than from heroin.
Long term use
Constipation
Breathing difficulties
Irregular periods
Depresses effects of other opiates
If injected - infection risk, circulatory problems
Overdose risk
Deaths from the use of methadone alone are relatively infrequent. However, the overdose risk increases after a period of abstinence as this leads to a lack of tolerance, and also if methadone is mixed with other drugs such as barbiturates or alcohol.
Legal status
Prescription Only Medicine
Class A, Schedule 2.
Illegal to possess without a prescription and to supply to others
Maximum penalty
Possession: 7 years
Supplying: Life
Medical practitioners may prescribe methadone to dependent drug users without a licence from the Home Office.