I Was Given Methadone To Treat My Chronic Pain. Isn't That For Drug Addicts?

Dr. Joseph Shurman answers the question: 'Is Methadone Only For Drug Addicts?'

By
Joseph Shurman, M.D., Chairman, Pain Management, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, Calif.
August 20, 2008, 12:08 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Question: I Was Given Methadone To Treat My Chronic Pain. Isn't Methadone Only For Drug Addicts?

Answer: Yes, methadone is used for the treatment of drug addicts, but we also use it today for the treatment of chronic pain. It's a very slow-release medication with a long duration of action. The only issue with it is many people have been switched from OxyContin to methadone, which is much shorter-acting. And the patients tend to escalate up on the methadone, and end up with an overdose, and a death. So, it can be a very dangerous drug, and you should seek a physician who has experience with the use of methadone.

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