Methadone
Introduction
A pain-treating opioid, methadone is sold under such brand names as Dolophine. Besides pain relief, the drug is used in maintenance therapy. Methadone is one of the drugs considered highly effective as a single dose has a rapid effect, and maximum effect requires only five days of administration of the drug. Its side effects are not dissimilar to the side effects of common opioids, and may include sleepiness, sweating and vomiting, among others. Its use has no alarming effects save for difficulty in breathing which can be alleviated through the usual mechanisms; these only happen in cases of methadone abuse. It is, however, important to note that higher uncontrolled dosage may result in more detrimental effects including death. In the face of approved effectiveness and high efficacy, the use of Methadone for treatment of opiate addiction has received a backlash from different expert quarters. On this note, some researchers have mentioned that the drug fails to function towards curbing the addiction, but only redirects it to authorized channels (Hong, Peter & Peter, 299). Regardless, the existing body of research indicate that the drug is continually being used for the same purpose which renders the former standpoint somewhat questionable. The following report examines the existing body of research on methadone especially concerning its pharmacology. To this effect, three pharmacological elements including mechanism of action, metabolism, and administration route will be profoundly considered.