ENGLISH
REFERENCE

methadone

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈmɛθəˌdoʊn// UK //mˈɛθɐdˌəʊn// methadone

n. a strong medicine used to help people stop using other drugs like heroin. It is usually taken as a liquid or a pill and helps reduce the pain and withdrawal symptoms.

n. a synthetic opioid used primarily for the management of severe pain and as a maintenance therapy for opioid addiction. It is typically administered orally or via injection to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.


SIMPLE

The doctor prescribed methadone to help him quit heroin.

CONTEXTUAL

As part of a supervised detox program, patients receive methadone to manage withdrawal symptoms while their bodies adjust to being free of other opioids.

COMPLEX

While methadone is highly effective in stabilizing patients during recovery, its long half-life necessitates careful dosing to prevent accidental overdose, especially when combined with other central nervous system depressants.

Synonyms
Origin

From (di)meth(yl)a(mino) + d(iphenyl) + (heptan)one.

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