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LETHAL DRUG COMBINATIONS
Please read carefully this important information about the
potential dangers of taking other drugs and/or alcohol
while taking methadone.
Clients receiving methadone treatment, either for detoxification
or maintenance for opiate replacement must be aware of certain
potentially hazardous drug combinations.
Methadone is a narcotic drug with the same depression of
the central nervous system as any other narcotic pain medication.
If you have never taken methadone before, use caution until
you see how it will affect you.
During the first 30 days of treatment with methadone, while
your system is adjusting to its effects, exercise extreme
caution while driving or operating heavy equipment. Until
you are sure how it is going to affect you. It may be better
to ride with someone else to avoid operating any equipment.
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Valium, FlexariU etc.) & Barbiturates.
Unless prescribed by a physician who is aware that you are
taking methadone and Dr. Camp has had an opportunity to discuss
your treatment with that physician, DO NOT TAKE BENZOS WHILE
TAKING METHADONE. The central nervous system effects of the
two drugs are more likely to cause extreme drowsiness leading
to nodding off, especially when driving or sitting still
In some instances the combination can cause a deep coma and
death. Soma, although not a benzodiazepines, is a central
nervous system depressant and in combination with methadone
can produce the same effects of drowsiness - causing nodding
off while driving or sitting still. Drinking alcohol presents
the same danger, when used with methadone. Do Not Use Alcohol,
Benzodiazepines, or Barbiturates while taking methadone.
The same principle applies when taking any of the sleep medication
whether by prescription or over the counter. Sleeping pills
have a stronger effect for sedation and when used with methadone
very serious consequences can result, especially if one is
driving or operating any equipment. The danger exists because
there is often no warning before nodding off, and if driving
a car or operating equipment disastrous consequences such
as death can result.
Amphetamines (speed), Cocaine. & Crack
These drugs are also dangerous drugs when used along with
methadone. There is an increased risk to the individual for
serious consequences. Amphetamines and cocaine are central
nervous system stimulants. Stimulants cause an increase in
heartbeat and breathing and a rise in blood pressure. A headache
and an increased level of anxiety are a couple of the negative
side effects from amphetamine or cocaine use. Some of the
serious and even Me threatening consequences of amphetamine
or cocaine use are stroke, burst blood vessels, and heart
failure. When amphetamines or cocaine are used along with
one of the central nervous system depressant drugs such as
methadone,
benzodiazepines, soma, barbiturates, or alcohol, some of
the warning symptoms such as headache or increased anxiety
may be covered up by the depressant drug.
In other words, the depressant drug is taking the edge off
stimulant, and therefore covering up the unpleasant symptoms
that are warning signs of potentially serious, and often
times fatal consequences. Taking a depressant drug and a
stimulant drug do not work together to lessen the side effects
of each other. The body is receiving the full effects of
each drug. When the stimulant and a depressant drug are used
together, the unpleasant side effects, or the "edge" (unpleasant
side effects of the drug) has an important purpose, and it
is to warn you that a potentially life threatening problem
could occur.
Example: An example of this would be taking a depressant
drug, such as methadone, along with a stimulant drug, such
as cocaine, because the methadone gets rid of the headache
and anxiety caused by the cocaine. The headache and anxiety
are warning signals that the heart is working to hard and
causing too much pressure on the blood vessels. The headache
is a warning sign before a stroke.
Another Example; Another example of this is when cocaine,
a stimulant, is taken to get rid of the drowsiness caused
by the depressant, such as methadone. Under normal circumstances
the drowsiness causes the person to sleep until the body
has been able to get rid of the depressant drug, or at least
bring h down to a level that is no longer dangerous. Depressants
in high doses can cause loss of consciousness and breathing
to completely stop resulting in death. Taking a functioning
in a drug impaired state of mind. Dangerous behaviors such
as driving a car with impaired judgment or taking more depressant
drugs can lead to life threatening problems. Depressant drug
overdose can lead to loss of consciousness and respiratory
arrest or, in other words, one's breathing stops suddenly
resulting in death.
Exercise extreme caution when any of these medications are
prescribed to you by a physician. Make sure that physician
is aware that you are taking methadone and that you have
told your counselor and signed a consent form allowing a
clinic physician to consult with your physician about these
prescribed medications. Your life is valuable and taking
these drugs and/or drinking alcohol while on methadone can
be lethal.
If you are being treated with any other drugs by another
physician, it is important to your health and well being
that you immediately inform your counselor or the dosing
nurse. You will be asked to sign a consent form permitting
a clinic physician to consult with your other physician.
This consultation will assist your physician in providing
you with safe medical treatment.
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