Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opioid medication primarily used for pain management and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid use disorder. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the same euphoric effects as other opioids. Oral methadone is slowly absorbed and metabolized in the liver, with its effects lasting longer than many other opioids. Urine testing for methadone and its metabolites is a common method to monitor patient compliance in treatment programs or to detect its presence in forensic toxicology. The primary metabolite detected is 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP).