methadone

noun meth·a·done \ ˈme-thə-ˌdōn \

variants: or less commonly methadon play \-ˌdän\

Updated on: 24 Apr 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

And, there are fewer tools to combat meth than to combat opioids: There is nothing like Naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses, or methadone, which can stem opioid cravings.

— frances robles, New York Times, "Meth, the Forgotten Killer, Is Back. And It’s Everywhere.," 13 Feb. 2018
Rawson and others point to two drugs in particular that may help break your addiction: buprenorphine and methadone.

— emily bazar, latimes.com, "When fighting an opioid addiction, prepare for years of vigilance and long-term medication," 30 Mar. 2018
The most common drugs used to treat addiction are methadone, Suboxone and Vivitrol, each with their own pros and cons.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "County to embrace collaborative, medical approach to treat drug addiction in new $179 million program," 26 Mar. 2018
As time went on, the effect of methadone treatments on crime becomes more subtle, the researchers found.

— josh magness, miamiherald, "Giving this drug to some addicted prisoners can help cut down on violent crime, study finds | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018
Those findings come from a study published in the journal Addiction that suggests prescribing methadone — an opioid often used to treat dependance on other opioids — to addicted prisoners can significantly reduce violent and nonviolent crime.

— josh magness, miamiherald, "Giving this drug to some addicted prisoners can help cut down on violent crime, study finds | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018
And that is exactly what methadone and buprenorphine do.

— brendan de kenessey, Vox, "People are dying because we misunderstand how those with addiction think," 16 Mar. 2018
Researchers found that about 20 percent of children in the youngest age group were admitted after ingesting methadone.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Rate of U.S. children hospitalized for opioid poisoning, overdoses doubles," 5 Mar. 2018
The council proposed a website to reduce the stigma of substance abuse and education for drug court judges, some of whom don't allow defendants to use methadone or suboxone under the supervision of doctors.

— amy yurkanin, AL.com, "Opioids on the agenda for Alabama lawmakers," 26 Jan. 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

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See words that rhyme with methadone Nglish: Translation of methadone for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methadone

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