methadone

noun meth·a·done \ ˈme-thə-ˌdōn \

variants: or less commonly methadon play \-ˌdän\

|Updated on: 4 Jun 2018

Definition of methadone

: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug C₂₁H₂₇NO used especially in the form of its hydrochloride for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction

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Recent Examples of methadone from the Web

Mackey’s son has since gotten clean through a methadone program.

— cat ferguson, The Verge, "Predatory behavior runs rampant in Facebook’s addiction support groups," 21 May 2018
The nationwide increase in fatal overdoses linked to synthetic opioids other than methadone.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "Opioid overdose deaths are still rising in nearly every segment of the country, CDC says," 29 Mar. 2018
Under the new program, patients being treated with methadone or other medication can’t be turned away.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "County to embrace collaborative, medical approach to treat drug addiction in new $179 million program," 26 Mar. 2018
Nonetheless, Medicaid pays for prescriptions of Vivitrol and Suboxone, but not methadone, public records show.

— bill myers, Chicago Reader, "Officials hope much-hyped drug can slow state's opioid crisis, but is it worth the costs?," 16 May 2018
Twitter: @KevinChron Buprenorphine and methadone Methadone: Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in 1972.

— kevin fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF mayor’s bold plan to treat heroin addicts on the street," 16 May 2018
Medicaid covers methadone treatment in Maryland and about 35 other states.

— carla k. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "The Medicare gap: Patients addicted to opioids find methadone treatment isn't covered," 1 May 2018
First, there’s anti-addiction medications like buprenorphine and methadone.

— german lopez, Vox, "Medical marijuana may help combat the opioid crisis. But there are better solutions.," 30 Apr. 2018
The most common drugs at play, the agency says, are methadone; oxycodone, which Purdue Pharma brands as OxyContin and Endo Pharmaceuticals brands as Percocet; and hydrocodone, which AbbVie makes as Vicodin.

— drew broach, NOLA.com, "Jefferson Parish hires lawyers to sue opioid makers and distributors," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'methadone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of methadone

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1947

in the meaning defined above

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METHADONE Defined for English Language Learners

methadone

noun

Definition of methadone for English Language Learners

: a drug that people take to help them stop taking heroin

Medical Dictionary

methadone

noun meth·a·done \ ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn \

variants: also methadon play \-ˌdän\

medical Definition of methadone

: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug used especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₁H₂₇NO·HCl for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction — called also amidone