Methadone
German scientists synthesized methadone during World War II because ofshortagemorphine. Although chemically unlike morphine or heroin, methadone produces many ofsame effects. Introduced intoUnited States1947 as an analgesic (Dolophine), itprimarily used today fortreatmentnarcotic addiction (Methadone). The old name Dolophine comes fromGerman Dolphium. Long-standing rumor attributes this name being givenhonourAdolf Hitler byGerman pharmacists who developed it, althoughactually comes fromLatin word for pain, "dolor".The effectsmethadonelonger lasting than thosemorphine-based drugs. Methadone's effects can last up24 hours, thereby permitting administration only oncedayheroin detoxificationmaintenance programs. Methadonealmost as effective when administered orally as itby injection. Tolerancedependence may develop,withdrawal symptoms, thoughdevelop more slowly andless severe than thosemorphineheroin,more prolonged. Ironically, methadone usedcontrol narcotic addictionfrequently encountered onillicit markethas been associated withnumberoverdose deaths.
Closely relatedmethadone,synthetic compound levo-alphacetylmethadol or LAAM (ORLAAM) has an even longer durationaction (from 4872 hours), permittingreductionfrequencyuse. In 1994was approved astreatmentnarcotic addiction. Like methadone, LAAMin Schedule II ofUnited States Controlled Substances Act.
Buprenorphine has also been used intreatmentnarcotic addiction. In October, 2002,FDA approved two compounds containing buprenorphine (Subutex®Suboxone®) fortreatmentnarcotic addiction. Itinterestingnote that SubutexSuboxonein Schedule III ofUnited States Controlled Substances Act, which allowtheir use on an outpatient basis, unlike methadoneLAAM.
Another close relativemethadonedextropropoxyphene, first marketed1957 undertrade nameDarvon. Oral analgesic potencyone-halfone-third thatcodeine,65 mg approximately equivalentabout 600 mgaspirin. Dextroproxypheneprescribedreliefmildmoderate pain. Bulk dextropropoxyphenein Schedule II ofUnited States Controlled Substances Act, while preparations containing itin Schedule IV. More than 100 tonsdextropropoxypheneproduced inUnited States annually,more than 25 million prescriptionswritten forproducts. This narcoticassociated withnumbertoxic side effectsis amongtop 10 drugs reported by medical examinersdrug abuse deaths.
