Split Dosing Methadone - Does It Really Work (Top voted 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.

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In response to Emily - Hi there! My name is Liz and I have a very similar experience to share. I too suffered from severe withdrawal symptoms at night after my methadone wore off and could not even get through an entire night's sleep without waking up very ill. Splitting my dose was the best thing I ever did with this medicine. I'm at 95 Miligrams and I have take-homes so I'm able to take 1/2 of my dose in the morning and 1/2 in the evening. I used to be at a much higher dose (160 MG) and I've been splitting my dose for years - anyone with high metabolism, such as myself, will benefit from split - dosing. I understand your concerns about feeling sick from only taking 1/2 your dose at a time but chances are if you're a long-term maintenance patient and your medicine does not last, (sounds like you also have a rapid metabolism??) I strongly recommend that you try the split - what I did to get my body used to not having my whole dose at once is that I started the split unevenly. For example when I wake up, I'd take about 70% of my dose and through the course of a few weeks I was able to split my dose evenly with no withdrawal symptoms. If you have take-homes you can adjust your dose however you need to until you find what works. Some mornings I take my whole dose, other mornings that I feel ok I'll just take a small amount and save most of it for the latter part of my day. If you can just hang in there while you're finding the best way to split your dose you'll be so happy once you find that balance. Don't go back to Opiates sweetie, there's just no way back and all those wonderful things in your life will slowly start to disappear until there's nothing but darkness. Please give the split-dose a chance, be patient with the process because I truly believe that it will work for you. I too felt hopeless, like I was destined to either be an addict or miserably sick everyday on Methadone. Once I found a split-dose formula that worked for me I feel so much better, and I no longer feel hopeless or have any urge to go back to using Opiates. Best of luck to you sweet Emily - please don't give up until you try splitting your dose...Sending you love & support!!

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I too, like Nick, have been taking methadone for over 25 years daily. Started on 40! Ended up on 150mgs daily about 7 years ago and am now on 135mgs. I've tried every method, of dosing. I have a fast metabolism and as the years have gone on methadone has done less and less to make me feel 'normal'. It used to easily get me through a day - there was a time I used to work all day on nothing and dose when I got home - that way I could tolerate feeling a bit rough because I knew I was coming home to my full dose. Your body changes as you age, and you have ups and downs regardless of taking methadone or any other meds. The problem is that when you're on methadone you blame every bad period on it - then begin messing about to feel 'normal' - by messing about I mean things like, having more one day, less on another and mostly a day without before the next pick-up - well that's just stupid, even I know that, but that insidious drug messes with your head. Try feeling crap when you've got 5 days supply sitting there.

I have also found that reducing now, even by 5ml has a huge psychological effect that manifests physically. For the last 2 years I have suffered serious constipation, have a 'beer' belly (which looks odd on a slim guy) and feel pretty rough most days. This is purely as a result of being on this synthetic opioid for so many years. It is absorbed through the lining of the small GI tract and this eventually leads to malabsorption of the active ingredient. There's no use putting the amount up because my body would simply waste more. After 25 years or more the side effects outweigh the benefits to the point you are in a permanent state of poor health, lethargy, low moods. Now my teeth are going, all at once it appears - I'm 47, there's a lot to do with age here and the time I've been taking this drug for than anything else. Like Nick says though - some days I can go without and hardly notice, even sleep fine. Other times I'm awake all night. Stability plays an important role in your routine, however you take it, and it affects everybody slightly differently than others.

I've split dosed in all ratios, which has 'helped' for a time, but I always come back to single- dosing in a morning. Stability is relative anyway - you can be 'stable' for 6 months at a time before having to adjust, or you can be 'stable' for years. It all depends on a whole lot of other factors like diet, exercise, sleep etc. Not everything that's unhealthy is methadone related - I'd argue that processed foods have done the most damage to my digestive system. To complicate matters I was put on diazepam 15mg daily 7 years ago (this was a period in life that through stress of work and raising kids I had what people used to call 'a nervous meltdown' but they kept me on diazepam, then added anti-depressants which made me worse because my labido vanished for 3 years!! Anyway, today I'm on 135mgs of methadone and 10mg of diazepam - I suffer social anxiety to the point I had to stop working. I can't even plan for tomorrow. I wake up every couple of hours and the days are spent taking my 2 and 1/2 year old daughter to nursery for 4 hours, collecting her, feeding her, putting her to bed for an hour or two while my wife earns the money.

This is my third marriage as well. I had a good career and I believe that the diazepam has a lot to do with me having most of my issues. The worst part of it all - I only took opioids for a few months after leaving the Army; I've been in this rubbish ever since bar the odd relapse due to lack of methadone. Plus I tried coke a few times because amphetamine was my actual drug of choice - one day I could only get opioids and the rest is history. I don't imagine a time I'll ever get off the stuff, because I always need more. The truth is, I know from the past I have felt better on lower doses (80mgs daily) but because it only lasts about 4-8 hours therapeutically I kid myself into needing more - but it never helps, I take an extra 50 at night occasionally and 1 out of 5 times I'll get a boost. They need to address the malabsorption and metabolisms of individuals to work out how much and when you should take - all this guesswork just goes on forever, even when you find your perfect regime - it won't last, I can promise you.

Your body ages and things change - that's not methadone, that's a fact of life. One more point to note - I was a Doctor, AM a doctor (trauma) - but that's never been a problem or a factor - I fractured my pelvis in Kuwait and found that morphine is absolutely lovely. After being medically discharged I wanted something to give me more energy- but when opioids were offered I couldn't say no. 3 months though! They would do this now. Methadone, and any drug with a long half-life is great short-term, but your prospects for detox decrease exponentially for every year you stay on it. 80% psychology and 20% physiology. I'm too old to put up with the pain of withdrawal now - so how does that improve? It doesn't. Can I still detox? Not at home, I'm unreliable, like a beat-up old car. I look fit and young for my years. But I feel old. Good luck to all of you. The only advice I can offer is 'Please do all you can to remember this is a short-term solution if it's going to work' - otherwise you're only kidding yourself.

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I know you meant well, but if the woman is concerned about 180 mg's of methadone not holding her, I would say the LAST thing she needs to consider at the moment is getting on Suboxone, as the chances of even the highest dose of suboxone holding her is slim to none (180mgs is a HIGH dose, regardless of what anyone says).

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Agree with you 100%- the girl didn't ask anything about Suboxone!

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I was about a month into my Methadone Maintenance Treatment when I got pregnant with my youngest child. Because pregnancy more then doubles your metabolism I was sick as a dog the moment my methadone wore off. The doctor at my clinic started requiring a split dose for me, I was at 160 MG so I took 80 in the morning and 80 at night. It took a little while to get used to having less medicine in the morning but once I did I started to feel better. I have "take homes" & I still split my dose most days. When I don't split my dose I feel sick and don't sleep well at night. I have pretty fast metabolism so the split seems to work for me. If you're worried about feeling unwell in the a.m. having less methadone, try splitting your dose so that you take maybe 70% in the a.m. and 30% at night rather then 50/50. Best of luck to you...

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Hey I'm also on methadone and recently they split my dose overall I take 160mgs split so I take 80 mgs in a.m and 80mgs in the afternoon.. I do not like taking such a low dose in a.m it feels like its no working as well and I have to take my p.m dose alot sooner.. But everyone's tolerance and metabolism is completely different.. Try taking a larger amount the split the rest in two halves that way you get 3 doses.. Good luck

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Hi if you get take homes you can split the dose just don't let them know it's your right to do that and if I was you that's what I would do! You should take 2/3 of it in the morning and 1/3 of it at like 3pm I would try that first that's what I would do if I was you

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Have you ever considered switching to suboxone? I took methadone for addiction for over 3 years & slowly took down my dose, I didn't want to have to travel to the clinic at least once a week for the rest of my life, & all the money I put out was ridiculous. When I quit going to the clinic I was sick for over a month, withdraw was still horrible! I started seeing a wonderful doctor who put me on suboxone, which was covered by my insurance 100% (most insurance policies cover it from what I hear). I felt normal for the first time in ten years, not high but not sick. my energy level was far higher then when I was on opiates or methadone. I was so scared that I would still be achy & tired from all the damage I had done to my body while on drugs for so many years. I am so glad I listened to my doctor & didn't go back on methadone, it was the best decision I ever made, I am a better wife & mother for it, & actually have hope to one day be completely off all medications.

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Hi Emily. I am going thru the same situation only my dose is currently 165. It's always worth a try to split it. If you get take-home dose maybe try it next time? I am not a doctor and I wouldn't want you to have any negative effects so this would be at your own risk. I know what you're thinking,have I done it? No,I'm scared to death,we both know how it feels when we wake up I'd hate to have to deal with that for a whole day. I'm thinking of asking about it tho and doing it on the up and up. I'll post when I do. Good luck.

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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

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Hi I'm currently prescribed Topamax 4 bipolar Lexapro for depression Klonopin for anxiety 1 mg at bedtime and 140 mg of methadone daily question is those psychotic meds going to interfere with the Methadone effects and purpose?

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I know it sounds crazy Nick,what you said is what I was thinking and I'm running into more and more folks,Emily was the straw that broke my camel's back. I am curious,what brand methadone are you taking,and what form is it(if it's liquid is it flavored?). I'm taking a shot in the dark with these questions,whaddya think?

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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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

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Re: Kenny (# 10)

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

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

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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

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