Tag: Methadone safety

As of March 2019, approximately 409,000 patients were receiving methadone treatment at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) [1.8.4]. For those prescribed take-home doses, a key question is: why does methadone have to be in a lock box? This requirement is a critical safety measure.

First synthesized in Germany during World War II, oral methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid medication used for two distinct and critical purposes. It serves as an effective tool for managing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and is also prescribed for the treatment of severe, chronic pain that requires round-the-clock opioid relief. Its dual utility, though under strict regulatory oversight, has made it a foundational component in modern addiction and pain medicine.