During World War II German pharmaceutical companies came up with yet another form of opiate - methadone hydrochloride. This substance was first synthesized to be used as an alternative to regular opioids – synthetic form of the drug seemed to be quite helpful in treatment of severe pain. Chemical compound of the drug is very different from morphine and heroin, but methadone brings same effect on the opioid receptors in the body, therefore, it influences body in a very similar manner as the regular opiates. However, the effects of methadone last longer than the effects of heroin or morphine.

When first synthesized, methadone was meant to become a revolutionary new type of pain killer – it was cheaper to make than the other pain killers, the effects of it were rather strong and lasted longer than those of other drugs. But one can never know what will happen and plans are not always carried out. It was noticed that people who were taking methadone could be stopped from heroine and/or morphine dependency. Methadone was turned into a drug that cured opioid addiction; methadone clinics are open all over the country.

The substance mostly administered in a liquid form, but tablets and injections are also available. As some the effects in addition to physical pain relief that a person may experience while taking methadone are:

-         mood change: it is less intense but lasts longer than that caused by heroin

-         slower and shallow breathing

-         no or little control of emotions

-         drowsiness

-         reduced blood pressure

-         dryness in the eyes, nose and mouth