Split Dosing Methadone - Does It Really Work
(Newest replies first)

I am currently on a hundred and 80 milligrams of methadone and at 8 p.m. every night I start to feel icky and in little withdrawal by morning I am in full withdrawal! if I split my doses and take 90mgs in the morning and 90mgs in the late afternoon will that help my wds? also the main question is when I go to 90 milligrams in the morning will l get sick from only taking the 90 mgs instead of the 180mg? I've been at 180 for a year now and every morning wake up sick. I just really need some help because I am really getting confused and tempted to just get back on opiates and I really don't want to if anybody is educated on this or has experience please help me. l have a really good life now and I really don't want to resort back to that.

REPLY

REPORT

I suffer from chronic pain and failed back surgery syndrome. I have a spinal fusion. I was on methadone back in 2015 and quit on rapid detox going down 6 mg a day. I was pretty much on. Now after having been waiting for disability and trying to work again I am back in the methadone clinic on 140 mg a day for almost 4 months now and am in the same situation. I NEED a split dose, the doctors abviously know I’m not getting high. I am usually sick sweaty and pucky/bubble guts by anywhere from 12 noon to 9pm. Depending on if I can take my dose at 11am. Or if I’m too sick and have to take it earlier. Or on weekends I have to take all 140 mgs at once by 8 am no matter what, those days I’m always hurt and in withdrawal around 12 noon. I live in Oshkosh Wisconsin. If anyone has any information on a methadone clinic around the area that will do split dosing please let me know. I am currently in AMS at Oshkosh and they do not permit split dosing, not even in person if I go there at 5 am I could take half and come back at 10:30if to take the rest but they won’t even make that exception!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dr N K (# 13)

I read something years ago that said if you are on a high dose of methadone it was possible the withdrawal in the morning could be worse because of the high dose. This made a lot of sense to me. I kept thinking I needed to get a higher dose but after reading this I came to the conclusion it was not the methadone-or lack of it that was making me feel bad but just the opposite. I stopped going up every six months and stuck to 130mgs. I have since come down to 100 mgs and refuse to go up. I feel the same. Sometimes good sometimes bad. If possible on evenings I work I save a little of my take home to take later in the day. This helps me make it through the night easier but the morning is the same. I have been on methadone for 20 years.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

GI absorbtion is everything. You start out and everything is fine. You then start craving sugar, eating badly and get constipation. 100lbs and one giant gut later your dose doesnt hold. You are not absorbing anything properly anymore and it causes mood disorders. Your serotonin and vitamins start in the gut. Cut back your sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates. You will feel worse for awhile due to the body flushing toxins and getting re adjusted. I lost 100lbs my dose holds again. My body was totally malnourished from not having proper digestion and my diet. I am 40yo and been dosing for 14 years. Try it your mood will change from pure panic and homebound to optimistic. Current dose 100mgs once daily.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

There is actually a test you can ask your clinic to run. It's called a peak and trough test. They use this to see how fast your body is metabolizing your dose of methadone. Then you can get a really good idea of how to make your dose be effective for you. I am down to 75mgs from 150mgs and it took 2 years as I could only handle a decrease of 2 mgs a month. I would only get 6 to 8 hours out of my dose and into withdrawals fast. I did the test and found that split dosing was best for me. I was hard to adjust to, but sooooooo worth it. Please don't give up all you have and go back to using. You have the right to help with finding a plan that will keep you well the entire day and be able to sleep at night. You have a fast metabolism and things like stress, illness or lots of exercise will kick the methadone out sooner than most people. If you get take homes it will be simple to start split dosing, if you don't most clinics will offer split dosing but check with yours or your doctor. Try to get the test done and find your body's best way to take your medicine so it can work for you instead of against you. Google the peak and trough test. Good luck girl and hang onto your sobriety tightly, you worked hard for it! Hang tough!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Eric (# 31)

Good advice! yes... take the blood test... Then you and your clinic will know for sure. That's what I did. Turned out I had really low trough levels and needed higher dose or split. I did both. Best advice I've seen on here yet Eric ?? The blood does not lie!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

To be honest, that was the common practice in Edinburgh back in the 80’s but it didn’t seem to work for the majority. However that’s not to say that you could be in the minority. Give it a try. Good luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kayleigh (# 14)

I have been on methadone for 8 years now, I was on 110 and dropped to 50 overnight, it does take you 24 to 36 hours to start to withdraw, I have not had any problems.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

For some methadone leaves there body faster than normal you can have a test done called a peek and trough you will take your dose then return 4 hrs later and they will take your blood to check your lvls then return 24hrs later and they will check your lvls again to see how fast it leaves your body

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: djp (# 18)

I had a fried who was getting 65mil daily dosing in front of clinic people it never stopped detoxing. Turns out her body was not storing the methadone. First time I heard of it but she's a good friend & the clinic isn't lying. So u might want to ask that your levels are.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am in Florida for some reason my body does not retain the methadone so I have a split dose 220 in am 190 at night. Most people judge and assume I must be high and or drug seeking. I have been off I.v. Drugs for over a decade. People don't understand that methadone is only but a tool and not a cure all. I was on 395 in the morning only for about 7 years but was ill by the next morning. I was ok with that but mentioned it to the doctor. He immediately ordered a 3 day in clinic dosing (I have take homes so normally go once a week) on the fourth day they had me get my blood drawn for a methadone serum level before I dosed. After I dosed they had me wait 3 hrs and get another serum done. I was not retaining even a quarter of my level and methadone has a half life meaning if you have a level of 700 at your peak you should at the very least have 300-350 level in 24 hours from dosing. With that said split dosing is like day and night. I haven't been "sick" for over 3 years. I highly recommend if that's what is needed . For awhile I kept going up and up and it only made me feel sicker or worse the next morning . Pregnant women and hep c patients have an easier time getting split dosed as it has to get federally approved it's not just handed out

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

First, I don't think 80-90mil daily or nightly should be wearing off in less than 4 to 36 hrs. What were you on BEFORE methadone? To answer your question, I take a total of 50mg daily for addiction. I take half & half because of my arthritis & fibromyalgia. It works great for me, but my doctor told me to try that. Don't know how helpful it is to take halves for addiction. Ask your doc. They will answer truthfully.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

If an individual is on 230 mg of methadone would it be advisable to split their dose? If so, what is the process?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kenny (# 10)

Try saving a third of your medicine till the evening time and you’ll be fine

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Verwon (# 1)

Cut down on how much Methadone Tuareg taking. Try to back down to 130 msgs the more you take the more you need. If you read some of the blogs about how much you really need you will understand why I am saying this

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: CL (# 7)

I agree with you. Methadone saved my life. I am 64 and been on methadone since I was 32. I take 140mgs. I am on phase 6 which in La. gives me 2 weeks take. I know we are all different but it's hard for me to believe 160mgs. won't hold someone, and damn sure wouldn't want that person to get off methadone. Sometimes I can't believe the positive things that came about because of me getting on a methadone program. Don't give up.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kayleigh (# 14)

I said imo. soon as someone gets a runny nose in the winter, they think they're sick. people on methadone tend to blame every cramp, muscle pain, or runny nose on their medication some forget what REAL wds are like

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: K (# 20)

Really? And your expertise in this would be what exactly?

I see a nutritionist, I don't 'blame' methadone for anything that I dont fully know it is to blame for, I have plenty of expertise in proteomics, metabolics and a lot more besides - and how do you figure 'hygeine' into it? I'm an ex UK Army officer and a trauma surgeon!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dr N K (# 13)

Outrageous. Listen, I have been on Methadone for 12 years. I am 38 years old. Father of 3. Work in a hot kitchen all day, run 4-5 miles 4-5 days a week and feel great. So all this excuse I hear from people about Methadone being the reason they feel like s*** bothers me. Get out and exercise.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Itha (# 17)

I think you just have poor health and hygein and blaim it on the methadone. Not tryin to be rude

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Dr N K (# 13)

I think you just have poor health and hygein and blaim it on the methadone. Not tryin to be rude

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on methadone liquid now for roughly 3 years, though 60 is the highest ive ever taken, 10 being lowest and ...

3 REPLIES

I have been on the 10 mgs roxane methadones, 70 mgs daily, for 6 yrs for pain management. I've tried the mallinckrod...

3 REPLIES

Hi I'm 27 years old, unmarried... since I had irregular periods and hair growth on my face I suggested a doctor... S...

2 REPLIES

I really need to kno if there is asprin in methadone... please someone help me!!! ## absolutely not!!! it is a narcotic ...

3 REPLIES

Hi, I'm trying to find out if I can take over the counter Percogesic with my methadone or if there are any drug inte...

1 REPLY

I have been taking Methadone for two years, but i want to get off of this medication and start taking Suboxone. Can I ta...

5 REPLIES

im moving in 30days and I need to guest dose first in washington state for 2 weeks and then me and my daughter will be m...

1 REPLY

I've been going to the clinic now for a little over a month and my current dose is 100mg a day. I'm going up ano...

9 REPLIES

I've been on various pain meds since I was 21 due to a VERY serious car accident where I broke my back and did a lot...

2 REPLIES

I got off my subs for a month and went back to full antagonists thinking I was gonna have gall bladder surgery. I can...

6 REPLIES