Drug Data Classification Mechanism of Action Indication Contraindications Adverse Reaction Nursing Responsibilities

Generic Name Pharmacologic Binds to opiate receptors in the CNS. General Concentrations CNS: Confusion, Before
Methadone Class Alters the perception of and response Indications - Hypersensitivty sedation, dizziness, - Observe 15 rights in drug
- Known alcohol intolerance
Opioid agonists to painful stimuli, while producing - Severe pain - Concurrent MAO inhibitor therapy
dysphoria, administration.
Trade Name generalized CNS depression. - Suppresses euphoria,floating, - Assess for hypersensitivity and other
Methadose Therapeutic withdrawal Precaution feeling, hallucinations, contraindications.
Class Pharmacokinetics symptoms in - Cardiac hypertrophy headache, unusual - Assess type, location, and intensity of
Minimum Dose Opioid opioid - Concomitant diuretic use dreams pain prior to administration.
- Hypokalemia
15 mg PO once analgesics A: Well absorbed from all sites (50% detoxification - Hypomagnesemia
- Assess blood pressure, pulse, and
daily absorbed following oral - History of cardiac conduction EENT: Blurred vision, respirations before and periodically
Pregnancy administration). abnormalities diplopia, miosis during administration.
Maximum Dose Risk Factor D: Widely distributed. Crosses the - Concurrent medications affecting - Assess bowel function routinely.
20 mg PO q6-8 C placenta; enters breast milk. cardiac conduction Respiratory: Prevention of constipation should be
- Other risk factors of arrhythmias
hr M & E: Mostly metabolized by the - Head trauma
Respiratory depression instituted if opioid use exceeds 2-3 days/
liver; some metabolites are active - Increased ICP
Contents and may accumulate with chronic - Severe renal, hepatic, or pulmonary CV: Hypotension, During
Methadone administration. disease bradycardia, QT - Dispersible tablets are to be dissolved
- Hypothyroidism prolongation, Torsades and used for detoxification and
- Adrenal insufficiency
Availability and Drug Half Life - Alcoholism
de Pointes maintenance treatment only.
color 15-25 hr - Undiagnosed abdominal pain - Oral doses may be administered with
- Tablets: 5, 10 - Prostatic hyperplasia or ureteral GI: Constipation, food or milk to minimize GI irritation.
mg structure nausea, vomiting - Dilute each dose of 10 mg/mL oral
- Dispersible - Lactation concentrate with at least 30 mL of water
tablets: 40 mg GU: Urinary retention or other liquid prior to administration.
Drug interaction
- Oral solution: 5 Drug to drug - IM is the preferred parenteral route for
mg/ 5 mL, 10 mg/ - Concurrent use laxatives, diuretics, Dermatologic: repeated doses. Subcutaneous
5 mL mineralocorticoids may increase risk Flushing, sweating administration may cause tissue
- Oral of hypomagnesemia or hypokalemia administration.
and increases risk of arrhythmias
concentrate: 10 Miscellaneous:
- Increase CNS depression with
mg/mL alchohol, antihistamines, and Physical dependence, After
sedatives/hypnotics. psychological - Instruct to take drug exactly as
Routes of - Nevirapine, afevirenz, ritonavir, dependence, tolerance prescribed.
administration Phenobarbital, carbamezepine - Instruct to avoid alcohol.
phenytoin, and rifampin may increase
Oral - Instruct to avoid driving or engaging in
metabolism and decrease analgesia;
Intramuscular withdrawal may occur. other dangerous activities of dizziness,
Subcutaneous - Kava kava, valerian, or chamomile, drowsiness or vision changes occur.
can increase CNS depression. - Caution patient to notify health care
Drug to food professional if signs of overdose occur.
- none reported
- Do proper documetattion.

Source: Deglin & Source: Deglin & Source: Deglin & Vallerand: 2009. Davis’s Drug Source: Deglin & Source: Deglin & Vallerand: 2009. Source: Deglin & Vallerand: Source: Deglin & Vallerand: 2009. Davis’s Drug
Vallerand: 2009. Vallerand: 2009. Guide for Nurses. 11th edition. Pp. 795-796 Vallerand: 2009. Davis’s Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses. 11th 2009. Davis’s Drug Guide for Guide for Nurses. 11th edition. Pp. 795-796
Davis’s Drug Guide Davis’s Drug Guide Drug Guide for Nurses. edition. Pp. 795-796 Nurses. 11th edition. Pp. 795-
for Nurses. 11th for Nurses. 11th 11th edition. Pp. 795- 796
edition. Pp. 795-796 edition. Pp. 795-796 796