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methadone
noun
meth·a·done
ˈme-thə-ˌdōn
variants
or less commonly methadon
: 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
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Word History
Etymology
methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near methadone
Cite this Entry
“Methadone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methadone. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
methadone
noun
meth·a·done
ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn
variants
also methadon
: 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
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on methadone
Nglish: Translation of methadone for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methadone
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