methadone

Also meth·a·don

[meth-uh-dohn]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic narcotic, C 2 1 H 2 8 ClNO, similar to morphine but effective orally, used in the relief of pain and as a heroin substitute in the treatment of heroin addiction.

methadone

/ ˈmɛθəˌdɒn, ˈmɛθəˌdəʊn /

noun

1. a narcotic analgesic drug similar to morphine, used to treat opiate addiction. Formula: C 21 H 27 NO

methadone

1. An analgesic that is sometimes used in the treatment of drug addiction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of methadone¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; meth(yl) + a(mino) + d(iphenyl) + (heptan)one

Word History and Origins

Origin of methadone¹

C20: from ( di ) meth ( yl ) + _a ( _mino ) + _d ( _iphenyl ) + _-one

Example Sentences

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “opioid overdose deaths decreased by 59 percent for those receiving methadone and 38 percent for those receiving buprenorphine.”

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She's been taking methadone for nearly a year when she tells her story to the BBC.

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Opioids and opiates - such as heroin and methadone - were the biggest contributors to fatal overdoses in 2024.

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Many public health experts support a harm reduction approach involving the provision of substitute drugs such as methadone, clean needles, and a drug consumption room which has been set up in Glasgow.

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There was Mike, an ex-con and part-time methadone dealer, who worked salad station.

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