Methadone Used Illegally By Some Doctors

Methadone is a drug that can be used for pain, or used for opiate replacement, or drug treatment.  Methadone used for pain, is usually dosed at a low level and gradually increased to effect.  Methadone used for opiate replacement is often initially dosed at a higher level than the starting dose for pain patients- because many opiate dependent patients have developed some tolerance for methadone.  Unfortunately, these higher starting doses often cause death if the patient is not monitored closely, or the dose is too high. 

The federal government restricts which physicians can legally prescribe methadone for drug treatment.  This is because methadone has a highly-variable half-life and a complicated pharmacology that physicians should understand when using it in higher doses for drug treatment.  Some physicians decide to use methadone to treat opiate dependence outside of a methadone clinic.  This is illegal.  Young men and women have died as a result of this illegal prescription of methadone.  If your family member was injured or died as a result of a methadone prescription, you should contact a methadone lawyer immediately to discuss your rights.  The statutes of limitations vary from state to state.