What Does Methadone Look Like?

Methadone is known as a powerful pain-relieving drug often given to patients with moderate to severe pain. It can also be used as a way to wean off addiction from other narcotic painkillers. Are you wondering what does methadone look like? Understand its physical attributes and how to distinguish it from other drugs.

Last Edited:

04/18/2022

Methadone is a type of opioid invented during World War II to treat severe pain among those who were wounded in combat. At present, it is now used to treat those with moderate to severe pain post-operation, during cancer treatment, or as part of an addiction recovery program.

Have you encountered methadone and want to make sure how the drug looks like? Below, you will see a complete guide on how to distinguish methadone’s physical appearance, its colors, and other attributes for you to identify it against other drugs.

How to Identify Methadone

Methadone is often manufactured as a white or off-white colored pill which has indications on the number of milligrams. The typically prescribed methadone will be identified is as follows:

What mg is methadone (Different colors)?

  • 5 mg methadone: Round and white appearance with a label “54 210”
  • 5 mg methadone (another version): Rectangular and white with a label “M 57 55”
  • 10 mg methadone: Round and white appearance with a label “54 214”
  • 40 mg methadone: Rounded square and orange appearance with a label “M 2540”

What does generic methadone look like?

Generic methadone is what’s commonly described above in tablet form. They are round or rectangular and white or orange-colored depending on the number of milligrams. Methadone colors are mostly dependent on the milligrams available in each tablet.

What does branded methadone look like?

Some branded methadone also come in different milligrams, and in other forms such as liquid. For example, methadone liquid can come in a flavorless and clear solution, and some will come in various colors and fruit flavors such as cherry, orange, or citrus.

Known methadone brands also have different indicators on their label. The two known ones such as Dolophine are white and round and can have the label 54 162 and 54 549.

Methadose also offers 5mg and 10mg methadone strengths, and each has a label of Methadose 5 or Methadose 10 respectively.

Now that you are more familiar with what color is methadone, how it typically looks like for branded and generic types, and its common labels, it can also be important to take a look into the signs of abuse and how to get help for methadone addiction.

Signs of Methadone Abuse

Although methadone is a drug used to treat addiction from other narcotics, it is crucial to note that methadone addiction is also possible. If you have come across this page suspecting yourself or a loved one of methadone abuse, below are the signs that can help you identify an addiction:

  • Taking higher or more frequent doses than the ones prescribed
  • Going to different doctors to get new prescriptions
  • Cravings for methadone
  • Loss of interest in daily activities and other former pursuits prior to drug use
  • Using different drug paraphernalia to take methadone
  • Insomnia or difficulties staying asleep
  • Lack of concentration
  • Physical, mental, and behavioral changes

If you notice any signs of methadone abuse, it is best to seek substance use disorder help as soon as possible.

How to Get Help For Methadone Abuse

The first step you take to get help for methadone addiction can be the most challenging one. To make things clearer, below are some of the important things you can do to commit to addiction recovery.

Contact a methadone abuse recovery center

Getting in touch with a rehab center that specializes in methadone abuse can help you get on the right track. Contacting is typically a no-commitment task–all you have to do is explain your situation and they will provide you information about your insurance coverage, how to finance your addiction treatment, and some questions you may have about rehab.

Let trusted friends and family know about your addiction treatment

If you do plan to move forward with your addiction treatment, it can be good to let trusted loved ones know. They can provide you with the financial and emotional support you need to continue in your journey. If you are not sure about your addiction treatment just yet, it can also be great to share with someone about your struggles with methadone abuse. They can guide you in the process as you gradually seek help.

Start with local resources

During the beginning of your addiction recovery journey, you can make use of free resources available in your community as you set up for a methadone rehab. You can attend some support groups, seminars, and other community programs that can help you get started with addiction recovery.

Methadone Abuse? Help Is Possible

Arriving at this resource, you may have been in a predicament where you suspect a loved one suffering from methadone abuse. Alternatively, you may just be curious and want to make sure if you are getting the right methadone drug. Whichever way you’ve come here, if you do notice signs of methadone abuse in yourself or a loved one, know that help is possible.

By reaching out to a high-quality rehab center, letting trusted loved ones know, and beginning your journey with local resources, you can start a better future free from methadone addiction.

Sources

  1. Medlineplus.gov – “Methadone”.
  2. My.clevelandclinic.com – “Insomnia: Causes, Risks & Treatment”.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

Sunshine Behavioral Health Facilities

image

Chapters Capistrano

image

Monarch Shores

image

Mountain Springs

image

Willow Springs

image

Lincoln Recovery

Find out more about our admissions process