Definition 
Poisoning from an overdose of methadone.

Poisonous Ingredient 

 
• methadone

Where Found 

 
• Methadone  
• Dolophine  
• Methadose  
• Eptadone  
• Physeptone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms  

 
• body as a whole       o muscle spasticity  
• respiratory       o difficulty breathing           + slow and labored           + shallow           + stopped (sometimes fatal within 2-4 hours)  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat       o pinpoint pupils  
• skin       o bluish colored fingernails and lips  
• gastrointestinal       o spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract       o Constipation       o nausea and Vomiting  
• heart and blood vessels       o weak pulse       o Low Blood pressure  
• nervous system       o drowsiness       o disorientation       o coma       o dizziness

Home Treatment 

Call Poison Control for appropriate treatment.

Before Calling Emergency 
Determine the following information:

 
• the patient’s age, weight, and condition  
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)  
• the time it was swallowed  
• the amount swallowed  
• if the drug was prescribed by a doctor

Poison Control, or a local emergency number 
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room 
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

 
• Use gastric lavage.  
• Administer activated charcoal.  
• Administer a laxative.  
• Give a counteracting drug (narcotic antagonist)-multiple doses if needed.  
• Administer intravenous fluids as needed.  
• Monitor breathing.  
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis) 
If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 1 to 4 hours.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.