Levomethadyl (Systemic)
Brand Names : Orlaam, LAAM, LAM, levacetylmethadol, levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, levomethadyl acetate, MK790
Category- Opioid (narcotic) abuse therapy adjunct
DescriptionLevomethadyl
(lee-voe-METH-a-dil)
belongs to the group of medicines known as narcotic analgesics (nar-KOT-ik an-al-GEE-zicks)
.
It is used as a substitute for illegal narcotics in addiction treatment programs.
This medicine is not a cure for addiction. It is used as part of an overall
program that may include counseling, attending support group meetings, and
other treatment recommended by your doctor.
Levomethadyl helps prevent the withdrawal symptoms that may occur when
an addict stops using other narcotics. In detoxification programs, the amount
of levomethadyl used is slowly decreased until an addict becomes drug-free.
In maintenance programs, it is used on a long-term basis to help narcotic
addicts stay away from street drugs. With long-term use, levomethadyl may
decrease an addict's craving for other narcotics.
Another narcotic, methadone, is also used in detoxification and maintenance
programs. Methadone begins to work faster than levomethadyl does when treatment
is started, but it has to be taken every day. Levomethadyl starts to work
slowly, but it does not have to be taken every day. Therefore, some people
may start treatment with methadone and then change over to levomethadyl after
several weeks. Other people may receive only one medicine or the other during
the entire time of treatment. Your doctor and your counselor at the clinic
will decide on the best treatment plan for you.
In the U.S., levomethadyl is available only in government-approved treatment
clinics, in the following dosage form:
Oral
-
Oral solution (U.S.)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
Other commonly used names are LAAM
,
LAM
, levacetylmethadol
,
levo-alpha-acetylmethadol
, levomethadyl
acetate
, and MK790
.
† Not commercially available in Canada.
|