methadone

noun meth·a·done \ ˈme-thə-ˌdōn \

variants: or less commonly methadon play \-ˌdän\

|Updated on: 13 Aug 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

If found to be habitually using opioids, they are offered treatment in the form of low doses of methadone or buprenorphine, weak opioid substitutes that help users to taper off the stronger stuff.

— The Economist, "Welsh prisons are much harsher than England’s on opioid treatment," 12 July 2018
The two others are opioid-based and have been more thoroughly studied: methadone and buprenorphine, a main component of Suboxone.

— rita giordano, Philly.com, "Could marijuana help treat opioid addiction? Pennsylvania may soon find out," 6 July 2018
Health officials now can administer methadone and another drug called buprenorphine, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms, inside the jail, though Hill could not immediately say if Flynn was receiving either drug.

— chad sokol, The Seattle Times, "Spokane County Jail removing bedsheets, hiring suicide-prevention expert after 3 inmates hang themselves in a year," 1 July 2018
After a rocky start, the Trump administration has gotten on board with addiction medications, which also include methadone and naltrexone.

— abby goodnough, New York Times, "When an Iowa Family Doctor Takes On the Opioid Epidemic," 23 June 2018
The misconception stems from the fact that most medications for treating addiction, like Suboxone and methadone, are opioid-based.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "You’re Not Clean Until You’re 110% Clean," 9 July 2018
The main other comparable is methadone, the medication for an opioid addiction, said Jay Butler, the state's chief medical officer.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "Meet the city health worker who tracks down tuberculosis patients in Anchorage," 3 July 2018
Doctors need a special certification to prescribe Suboxone or methadone, and, according to a study published earlier this year, Missouri had the nation's worst ratio of providers who have that certification compared to opioid overdose deaths.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Overdoses, prison, scant treatment: Mother's story shows state of KC’s opioid crisis," 26 June 2018
An increasing number of doctors, including general practitioners, are seeking training to use medications such as methadone, buprenorphine or Suboxone to treat patients with drug addictions.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Tired of going to funerals, this doctor treats addiction with drugs," 21 June 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

See Words from the same year

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