How to understand Mixing Methadone with other medications with Dr Rodriquez and Delray Center
Mixing Methadone with other medications
“Lets talk about mixing Methadone with other medications its rather common in modern medicine for a patient to take more then one medicine. That holds true for people on Methadone as well. Now Methadone can be taken safely with most antidepressants. Although some antidepressants do have interactions with Methadone that have to be accounted for. Fluoxetine or prozac is notable in that it interacts with Methadone and will tend to prolong the half-life of Methadone. This results in the Methadone dosage having to be adjusted often times may lower for safety reason. Other medications also have significant interactions with Methadone that are more concerning. Medications from the benzodiazepine family such as xanax klonopin and Valium do mix with Methadone and the actual mix can have a very powerful effect on the human body. This affect can be dangerous and can lead into an accidental overdose if not accounted for carefully with they dosage. Usually when medications are mixed and both medications are controlled substances with direct interactions that can affect a person’s ability to hold their heartbeat and there regular breathing dosage adjustments have to be made. These adjustments are done by a licensed and qualified physicians and should never be done by any patient on their own at home. If somebody is ever having doubts as far as medications that they are taking at the same time with Methadone they should contact their physician or the nearest emergency room to clarify that to avoid any potential risks. Medications like xanax in particular do not mix well with Methadone and can cause intoxication these intoxications can be dangerous and can lead an untimely overdose. At a lower overdose that would ever be expected with Methadone alone. Again this is why the doses have to be accounted for by your physician. Now again it is possible to take these medications and others when the person is compliant with their medicines at the proper doses when all doses have been accounted for by the physician and when the person is demonstrating good tolerability to the medication regimen. Whenever a medication like this is added to Methadone it is often best to take the first dose or two in the office under direct physician observation for purely safety reasons.” West Palm Beach FL, Delray Beach FL, Boca Raton FL, Boynton Beach FL, Lantana FL, Ft Lauderdale FL, Parkland FL, Pompano FL, Deerfield Beach FL Raul J Rodriguez MD, a double Board Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist, discusses addiction and family history http://www.delraycenter.com
