Effects

You may experience only a few, some, or all of the effects listed below. You may experience them mildly or strongly.

There are some effects of methadone which are understood:

1. Its action on the brain can cause:

· A high/mood change that is less intense but longer lasting than heroin

· Controlling/levelling of emotions

· Drowsiness / sleep

· Feeling or, rarely, being sick. If you are sick after taking methadone it is more likely to be caused by a medical problem (or, if you drink, by alcohol) than by methadone - get your doctor to check it out

· Slower, shallower breathing (which is dangerous in overdose)

· Reduced cough reflex

· Reduction of physical pain.

2. its action on the nerves that control many involuntary functions in almost all cases causes:

· Small pupils

· Constipation

and can cause:

· Dryness of the eyes, nose and mouth

· Reduced blood pressure

· Difficulty in passing urine.