What Is Methadone?
Methadone is part of a category of drugs called opioids. German doctors created it during World War II. When it came to the United States, doctors used it to treat people with extreme pain. Today, you might also get it as part of a treatment program for an addiction to heroin or narcotic painkillers.
Even though it’s safer than some other narcotics, your doctor should keep a close watch while you take methadone. Taking it can lead to addiction or abuse.
What Does Methadone Do?
Methadone changes the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain so that you feel relief. Its effects are slower than those of other strong painkillers like morphine. Your doctor may prescribe methadone if you’re in a lot of pain from an injury, surgery, or long-term illness. It also blocks the high from drugs like codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone. It can give a similar feeling and keep you from having withdrawal symptoms and cravings. You may hear this called replacement therapy. It’s usually just one part of your treatment plan. It isn’t a cure for addiction.
How Is Methadone Used?
If you need methadone for pain, your doctor will write a prescription for it. For an addiction, you’ll get it from a special treatment program. You can find programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association treatment locator (https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/).
Methadone comes in tablet, powder, and liquid forms. You have to have a prescription to get it. Your providers will give you the dose that should work best for you. They also might change your dose during treatment. Tell your doctor how you feel when you use it. Don’t stop taking the drug without visiting the methadone clinic or talking to them.
Follow the dosage instructions exactly. If your doctor prescribes tablets that are “dispersible,” dissolve all or part of the tablet in liquid (usually water or citrus-flavored drinks) and drink it all. Experts say people who take methadone to treat addiction should use it for at least a year while they work on recovery. When it’s time to stop, your doctor will help you do so slowly to prevent withdrawal.
Some people take methadone illegally, without a prescription. Most of them inject it, which can expose them to diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. Read: How Long Does Methadone Stay In Your Urine
What Does Real Methadone Look Like?
Methadone pills often look different depending on the dosage and manufacturer. Each pharmaceutical company has a different brand name for the drug, and there are many generics available as well. Some common iterations include the following:
Dolophine – It is sold in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. Both are white, round pills. Their imprint numbers are 54 162 and 54 549 respectively.
Methadose – These pills are also white and round, and they are scored. They come in 5 mg and 10 mg dosages and are identified with “Methadose 5” or “Methadose 10” depending on the strength.
Methadone can also be formulated as a liquid, and in a generic version, there may be different physical attributes that are not listed above.
How to Spot White Methadone Pill Fake Vs Real
In their latest report on fake online pharmacies that ply their trade in the United States, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found more than 1,500 new websites that it considers “Not Recommended,” and of these, 31% are offering illicit prescription drugs, such as fentanyl,. Falsified medicines are often the business of criminal cartels. Fentanyl-laced pills are responsible for most overdose deaths involving drugs that trigger highs. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.
Forensic drug analysis has recently confirmed the first known instance of heroin in tablet form in New Jersey. These counterfeit prescription drugs could lead to more opiate overdoses and deaths. For example, Fentanyl has been the cause of increasing overdose deaths in Ohio. In Franklin County next to Fairfield, the county coroner reported a nearly 75% increase in overdose deaths in just six months.
This spike in overdoses linked to fentanyl has sent health officials and policymakers rushing to find long-range solutions, just as the opioid epidemic appeared to be slowing in parts of the country. According to preliminary data from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, deaths related to fentanyl continued to rise in the county last year, mirroring a national trend, though it’s difficult to say how many of those fatalities were caused by pills.
How to Spot Fake Methadone Liquid / Pills Vs Real.
A consumer may not have access to most of the test equipment used by regulatory bodies to verify the identity of a drug product but there are simple guidelines that can help identify a fake Methadone.
Check the Methadone Packaging: This is the simplest and the easiest method to check the authenticity of the methadone pill. Check the packaging for details like unusual fonts, print color, and missing logo. Analyze whether it appears the same or different from the one you have used before.
No Breakage in the Seal: A Methadone packet that comes with a security seal should not be damaged. Look for a crack or break in the sealing tape.
Check the Methadone Pill Dosage Form: Look for dissimilarities in the physical appearance of the drug like its color, size, uniformity, consistency, shape, etc.
Physical Attributes of tablet: As stated by World Health Organization, the common physical attributes that need to be looked out in medicine tablets are;
- Small pieces of tablets, excessive powder at the bottom of the medicine container, or brittle and crumbly capsule spilling powder.
- Cracks in the tablets or capsules.
- The appearance of crystal on the container walls or on the medicine tablets.
- Softening or hardening of the medicines.
- Swelling, spots, or discoloration of the tablets or capsule.
Allergies / Unexpected Side Effects from using methadone Pill: Most of the medicines including methadone have side effects. It is important to consult your doctor before using to keep a check on allergies arising from it. If you notice certain unexpected or harmful side effects from your medication, report to your doctor immediately.
Price of Methadone: If the price of a methadone pill or liquid is suddenly far cheaper than the usual rate, double check the product as there may be a chance that the fake companies wanted to lure customers by providing medicines at much cheaper rates.
Verify Online or SMS: Many countries have unique methods for the verification of the genuineness of pills using authentication code or other online portals to confirm the authenticity of the methadone pill or liquid being purchased.
Fentanyl Test: Using a simple fentanyl test strip can help determine whether your methadone pill or liquid is laced with the deadly fentanyl or not.
There are strict laws regarding the distribution of methadone. If you buy it online from a scam pharmacy, you likely will receive a fake product. Legitimate websites encourage you to follow the law and require you to upload a prescription. Unauthorized websites may be based outside the United States and actively encourage you to break the law.
Methadone comes with strict regulations regarding its prescription and distribution. Initially, you have to visit a clinic daily to get your dose of methadone. You can’t take it at home. Over time, you may earn the privilege to get take-home doses of the drug. This is after you have demonstrated a period of stability and compliance.
Risks Of Buying Methadone Online
There are always risks to buying drugs online, even if methadone is legal when you have a prescription. Some of the risks of buying methadone online are:
Diluted product. Your methadone might be weak and will not be effective in treating your cravings.
Expired methadone. Products you buy online may be very cheap because they are expired. This means they cannot help you, and you are spending money on something that is not useful to you.
Improper storage. Some medication needs to be stored at a certain temperature, and you have no way of knowing whether or not it was stored the right way.
Wrong medication. You may receive a lower dose or the wrong medication altogether.
Counterfeit methadone. It is hard to know what you might receive when you buy methadone online. You may receive an illegal substance that could derail your treatment or something you were not expecting to consume. If the drug is laced with fentanyl or other dangerous substances, overdose is likely, and it could be fatal.
While there are not many reports of methadone being cut with other items, it is impossible to know what you will get if you buy methadone online. This is especially true if you purchase it from an unlicensed seller.
Methadone is sold as a liquid, pill, or wafer. Pill and liquid forms of drugs are easier to tamper with, as sellers can make these look exactly like legitimate methadone.
Teens are more likely to face adverse health consequences if they buy drugs online. Parents can help by communicating with their children, keeping track of packages, and asking about their web search history.
Legal Consequences Of Buying Methadone Online
There are also legal consequences of buying methadone online without a prescription. For one, you will most likely need to use the dark web to find someone willing to sell you methadone over the internet.
If authorities or the U.S. Postal Service suspect that you are doing something wrong, you may find yourself with criminal charges from your local police district, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As mentioned by the U.S. Department of Justice Diversion Control Division, you may face several consequences if you buy prescription medication unlawfully:
- Time spent in jail
- Seizure of your packages
- Additional consequences if your drugs are imported from another country
The U.S. Department of Justice also mentions that your prescription must be the result of a true doctor-patient relationship.
You must get a physical exam to get your prescription. A cyber-consultation will not be considered valid if you get caught buying methadone online without the right clearance. READ: How Does Methadone Affect the Human Body
