Methadone

Category: alkaloid

Pharmacological Mechanism

Synthetic μ-opioid agonist + NMDA antagonist + monoamine reuptake inhibition. Long, variable half-life (8–60 h) supports once-daily dosing for opioid use disorder. QT prolongation requires baseline ECG.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 37h, IV: 37h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 30mg (Range: 2.5 - 120 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous