Essay by Dream82University, Bachelor'sA+, December 2004

download word file, 3 pages 4.1




Extra Credit Report

One Molecule


Methadone a synthetic opioid that is used as the hydrochloride. It is an opioid analgesic that is primarily a mu-opioid agonist. It has actions and uses similar to those of morphine. It also has a depressant action on the cough centre and may be given to control intractable cough associated with terminal lung cancer. Methadone is also used as part of the treatment of dependence on opioid drugs, although prolonged use of methadone itself may result in dependence. They include codeine, morphine and heroin. In the brains of addicts, methadone prevents heroin or morphine from interacting with receptors for natural painkillers called endorphins , blocking the effects of the addictive drugs and reducing the physical cravings. In controlled doses it creates its own effects of mild euphoria and drowsiness, but lasts much longer and does not create the sometimes fatal respiratory depression that opiates do.


Methadone molar mass is molar mass: 309.49 g/mol and its balanced equation is C21H27NO:HCl and its molecular weight is 345.91. Each mL contains methadone hydrochloride, 10 mg (0.029 mmol), and sodium chloride, 0.9%. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have added during manufacture to adjust the pH. The 20-mL vials also contain chlorobutanol (chloroform derivative), 0.5%, as a preservative.

The side effects are relief from pain , feeling of well being, nausea , vomiting , pupils of the eye become smaller , body temperature drops, blood pressure and pulse slow down , uneasiness , yawning , diarrhea ,stomach cramps ,runny nose ,sleeping difficulties...