Methadone - metabolites in urine

Methadone - metabolites in urine

Clinical significance

Acts similarly to morphine (heroin). It is a potent anti-ból drug in the nature of an opioid agonist. Methadone acts on the same opioid receptors in the same wayób as morphine or heroin, but methadone's duration of action is much longer (24-36 hours). Its toxicity is similar to that of morphine, but it causes less respiratory distress and is less euphoric. It also produces a sense of well-being, although not to the same extent as heroin. The problem is that methadone itself is a psychologically and physically highly addictive opioid. It causes an addiction similar to that of morphine, but the withdrawal syndrome is slower and milder. It is used for the treatment of abstinence syndrome from opium alkaloids and for the substitution treatment of heroin and morphine addiction (only in special programsóin substitution treatment). As a second-line drug in the treatment of cancer bólu and in postoperative analgesia.A methadone addict experiences typical symptomsów of opoid intoxication, such as inner comfort, relaxation, warmth, drowsiness, a pleasant feeling of heaviness in the body, emotional detachment. Body temperature drops, heart rate drops, breathing slows down, blood pressure drops. Among the long-term symptoms of methadone use are: rash, itching, increased sweating, alternating feelings of hot and cold, muscle and joint pain, stomach cramps, nausea, obesity, chronic constipation, irregular menstruation, decreased sex drive, próchnica.

Patient preparation

Material: urine