What it's used for
Methadone hydrochloride tablets are used to manage severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic when other options are inadequate. Due to serious risks, their use is reserved for patients where alternative treatments are not sufficient.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
An opioid overdose reversal agent may be considered based on risk factors, and the medication should only be prescribed by healthcare professionals knowledgeable in long-acting opioids.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
Methadone carries serious and life-threatening risks, including addiction, abuse, misuse, and life-threatening respiratory depression.
Common side effects
Serious side effects include addiction, abuse, misuse, life-threatening respiratory depression, QT prolongation, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other mental health & focus medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Methadone dosage and administration
Important General Information Consider the following important factors that differentiate methadone from other opioids: • The peak respiratory depressant effect of methadone occurs later and persists longer than its peak pharmacologic effect. • A high degree of opioid tolerance does not eliminate the possibility of methadone overdose, iatrogenic or otherwise. Deaths have been reported during conversion to methadone from chronic, high-dose treatment with other opioid agonists and during initiation of methadone treatment of addiction in subjects previously abusing high doses of other opioid agonists. • There is high interpatient variability in absorption, metabolism, and relative analgesic potency. Population-based conversion ratios between methadone and other opioids are not accurate when applied to individuals.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Methadone side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: • Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse (see WARNINGS ) • Life Threatening Respiratory Depression (see WARNINGS ) • QT Prolongation (see WARNINGS ) • Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (see WARNINGS ) • Interactions with CNS Depressants (see WARNINGS ) • Serotonin Syndrome (see WARNINGS ) • Adrenal Insufficiency (see WARNINGS ) • Severe Hypotension (see WARNINGS ) • Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions (see WARNINGS ) • Seizures (see WARNINGS ) • Withdrawal (see WARNINGS ) • Hypoglycemia (see WARNINGS ) The following adverse reactions associated with the use of methadone were identified in clinical studies or post-marketing reports.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Methadone drug interactions
Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Methadone Hydrochloride Injection Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6 Clinical Impact: Methadone undergoes hepatic N-demethylation by several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, including CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6. The concomitant use of Methadone Hydrochloride Injection and CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of methadone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects, and may result in a fatal overdose, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of Methadone Hydrochloride Injection is achieved. These effects may be more pronounced with concomitant use of drugs that inhibit more than one of the CYP enzymes listed above.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take methadone
Methadone Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with: • Significant respiratory depression • Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment • Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus • Hypersensitivity to methadone hydrochloride (e.g. anaphylaxis) or any other ingredient in Methadone Hydrochloride Injection.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is methadone covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Methadone is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get methadone through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
What is the usual dose of methadone?
Important General Information Consider the following important factors that differentiate methadone from other opioids: • The peak respiratory depressant effect of methadone occurs later and persists longer than its peak pharmacologic effect. • A high degree of opioid tolerance does not eliminate the possibility of methadone overdose, iatrogenic or otherwise. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of methadone?
The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: • Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse (see WARNINGS ) • Life Threatening Respiratory Depression (see WARNINGS ) • QT Prolongation (see WARNINGS ) • Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (see WARNINGS ) • Interactions with CNS Depressants (see WARNINGS ) • Serotonin Syndrome (see WARNINGS ) • Adrenal Insufficiency (see WARNINGS ) • Severe Hypotension (see WARNINGS ) • Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions (see WARNINGS ) • Seizures (see WARNINGS ) • Withdrawal (see WARNINGS ) • Hypoglycemia (see WARNINGS ) The following adverse reactions associated with the use of methadone were identified in clinical studies or post-marketing reports. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with methadone?
Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Methadone Hydrochloride Injection Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, or CYP2D6 Clinical Impact: Methadone undergoes hepatic N-demethylation by several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, including CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Methadone is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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