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NCI Drug Dictionary


methadone hydrochloride 
The hydrochloride salt of methadone, a synthetic opioid with analgesic activity. Similar to morphine and other morphine-like agents, methadone mimics the actions of endogenous peptides at CNS opioid receptors, primarily the mu-receptor, resulting in characteristic morphine-like effects including analgesia, euphoria, sedation, respiratory depression, miosis, bradycardia and physical dependence. Because of the prolonged half-life of merthadone compared to other morphine-like agents such as heroin, the onset of opiate withdrawal symptoms is slower, the duration of opiate withdrawal is prolonged, and opiate wihdrawal symptoms are less severe. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand names:Adanon
Althose
Dolophine
Methadose