Methadone

Methadone is typically dispensed by pharmacists, nurses, or medical doctors employed by federally certified opioid treatment programs.

Evidence for the intervention

Methadone is an FDA-approved, front-line, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, with over 50 years of research studies supporting its effectiveness. Data supporting methadone comes from multiple rigorous, highly controlled, randomized clinical trials. Trials have generally found that methadone is more effective in higher doses and when delivered over a longer treatment duration. In systematic reviews, methadone has been consistently shown to improve treatment engagement, reduce heroin use, and reduce the risk of opioid overdose death. When compared head-to-head versus buprenorphine, methadone has similar effectiveness and may have slightly better treatment retention.

Evidence-based Scale

Methadone can only be dispensed by specially certified providers in federally certified opioid treatment programs. Most commonly, methadone is dispensed by pharmacists, nurses, or medical doctors.