methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈme-thə-ˌdōn 

variants or less commonly methadon

ˈme-thə-ˌdän 

: 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

Examples of methadone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More specifically, taking methadone or Suboxone during pregnancy can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome. —Patricia Weiser, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024

For nearly a decade, methadone has helped Stephanie juggle jobs and take care of her kids. —Kim Krisberg, NPR, 16 Sep. 2024

And deaths involving synthetic opioids — not including methadone — increased in 2021 with 70,601 overdose deaths. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024

Injectable drug users were offered opioid substitution therapy such as methadone or buprenorphine, which provided them with a pathway to stabilize and eventually tackle their addiction. —David Cox, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn 

variants also methadon

-ˌdän 

: a narcotic drug C₂₁H₂₇NO that is used to replace heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction

Medical Definition

methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn 

variants also methadon

-ˌdän 

: 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