Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction for more than 50 years. Methadose is the most well-known brand, but there are others, as well as generic versions of methadone.
There are no clinical differences between the various types or brands of methadone. All versions use the same active ingredient and carry the same methadone side effects and methadone drug interactions. The milligram total of medication is what is important. Some patients prefer one type over another due to taste or consistency, but clinics usually do not offer more than one form of methadone.
Is methadone a brand name?
Brand Names for Methadone
Methadose, Dolophine, Methadone HCl Intensol (UK), Diskets (UK)
Street Names for Methadone
Fizzies, Amidone, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dolls, Metho, Juice, Wafer, Maria
What is Methadose?
Methadose is a brand name for cherry-flavored methadone that is ten times more concentrated than previously used methadone mixed with juice or Tang.ⓘ
The manufacturer (Mallinckrodt) also offers:
- Methadose Sugar-Free: An unflavored, dye-free and sugar-free option
- Methadose Soluble Tablet: 40 mg tablets that dissolve in liquids like juice and can be divided into half or quarters
What is the difference between Methadose and methadone?
The difference between methadone and Methadose liquid is that Methadose is ten times more concentrated and dispensed undiluted. This makes Methadose easier to take and distribute than other types of methadone. But, because you take a smaller volume of medication, exact doses for methadone is more critical.
Instead of drinking a glass-sized amount for dosing, Methadose is more of a shot-sized amount. Though, most patients prefer the taste of the juice-mixed version better.
Typical Methadone Glass (Orange) vs. Methadose Syrup (Red)
- There is a generic version of methadone that comes in the same concentrated form as Methadose too.
Do methadone clinics use Methadose?
Some methadone clinics use Methadose. It’s attractive to clinics because it doesn’t require mixing, but many patients do not like the taste. And, there is no clinical difference between the generic Methadone or brands like Methadose. Methadone clinics use whatever medication type works best for their clinic (tablet, concentrate or liquid) and what’s available from their distributors. Usually, clinics do not offer more than one type or brand of methadone.
How do you take Methadose?
You take Methadose daily, usually at a methadone clinic. Typically, a nurse gives you the medication in a cup to drink orally. The laws around taking the medication outside of a clinic were relaxed during COVID-19, but most methadone clinics limit taking home the medication to just a day or a few days under specific circumstances because of the obvious risk of abuse.ⓘ
What is Dolophine?
Dolophine is a U.S. brand of methadone that comes in the form of a dissolvable tablet which is typically mixed with a liquid (usually juice) before being administered to patients at a methadone clinic. Dolophine is the original form of methadone in the U.S., introduced in 1947.
Dolophine Tablet Photos
- The most common liquids for mixing methadone tablets like Dolophine are orange juice, apple juice, Tang, citrus-flavored Kool-Aid, Crystal Light or just water.
Dolophine FAQs
Yes, Dolophine is methadone hydrochloride tablets available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses.
No, Dolophine does not contain morphine. Dolophine is methadone.
Here is where the confusion may come from:
- Methadone is a treatment for morphine addiction and may occasionally be given to chronic pain patients instead of a medication like morphine.
- The “phine” in Dolophine comes from the Latin word for “end.” Together with “dolo”, Dolophine translates to “pain end”.
Is there generic methadone?
Yes, there is generic methadone. Generic methadone is available in tablet, concentrate and liquid versions from several different manufacturers. That said, a methadone clinic usually chooses just one type of methadone. You can’t request generic methadone at a clinic to save money like with other medications at a pharmacy.
Is there a methadone pill?
Yes, generic methadone comes in pill form, but pills are not used in the treatment of opioid addiction.
Methadone pills are only used for the management of severe, chronic pain, often for terminally ill patients when other pain medications don’t work or aren’t well tolerated.
By using methadone only in liquid form, opioid addiction patients aren’t tempted to hide the pill in their cheek or inject any take-home doses.
Is there a methadone patch?
There is not a methadone patch currently available, though research from 2017 showed the promising potential of this delivery method.ⓘ
International Methadone Brands
What is Intensol?
What is Diskets?
Diskets is a methadone hydrochloride 40 mg dispersible tablet of methadone that gets dissolved in liquids like juice. Diskets is also manufactured by the UK company Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC.
What does methadone Diskette look like?
Diskette is a pink or peach square-shaped dissolvable tablet with 54 883 imprinted on one side.
Diskette Tablet Photos
Accessing Methadone in the U.S.
Methadone requires a special license and monitoring by the DEA. In Illinois and Texas, Symetria could be a great option for you. Otherwise, call the number on the back of your insurance card or try the national SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program directory.
Ready to Start Methadone?
Still Have Questions?
What to Read Next
I want to say for any addicts that are struggling…methadone has saved mine & hundreds of thousands of lives…you won’t go through withdrawals so it’s not scary. You will get your life back & stop living an opioid user life. Methadone got me to stop seeking every day because I got my daily dose of methadone. I don’t wait around all day sick to meet with my dealer to give him all my money for a day or two of feeling normal. You will have money in your pocket & bank account. You will be a better boyfriend, girlfriend, parent or whatever. You will be the person you used to be. As a fellow addict, I encourage you to get into a clinic & put the shit behind you. We can all agree that being an addict has never helped any of us. I wish you nothing but success. And,… Read more »
I’m glad methadone helped you but unfortunately it’s not for everyone. Methadone ruined my life. I’ve been on methadone for 10 years and it’s caused so many health problems that just get worse every year. I’ve tried multiple times to taper off the methadone but I just can’t handle the withdrawals. I’m afraid I’ll be one of those people stuck on methadone for the rest of my life. I wish methadone was a miracle drug for me like it is for some, but I wasn’t so lucky. I wish the best of luck to you and all in recovery and life.
I use low-dose methadone for restless leg syndrome. It’s been the same dose for 4 years. Recently my pharmacy changed the manufacturer and this methadone doesn’t work. I have breakthrough symptoms and if I want to be free of symptoms I need to increase the dose. My question is, what manufacturers make methadone tablets 5mg?
There shouldn’t be any clinical differences between suppliers. But, to answer your question, the round white 5mg tablets are distinguished by the imprint.
Pharmacies usually have agreements with specific suppliers. You can find another pharmacy that has a different generic supplier or switch from a generic to a brand name.
Part of the issue can also be a build-up of tolerance which happens with any kind of opiate after time. I’d also recommend trying to look into other area pharmacies if your insurance is taken and see what brand they dispense. When I was on Oxymorphone a decade ago, I would receive the brand name at some pharmacies and then the generic at others. It was bizarre.
It absolutely depends on the brand…coming from someone who has been on methadone for what will be 14 years next month. I did a backward dive off of a bridge and broke 11 bones throughout my back and spine and only two healed correctly. Unfortunately, I know all too well about methadone and will tell u and anyone who wants to know that it absolutely has to do with the brand as far as how much the meds help you and how they affect you. The brand that I take I pay out of pocket even though I have Medicaid but I buy the Mallinckrodt brand of the 10 mg but they also have the 5 mg rectangle shape pills which are called coffins on the street. Anyway, just wanted to explain that. Blessings to everyone, Shan 🙏🏼 •💋
I agree with you Shane I have been on Methadone for 15+ yrs for pain they tried all medications I was taking 54 142 10mg pills they stopped making them or just don’t get them in my state anymore. I was given ASC 116 10mg pill and within days I was going through withdrawals I had sweats and fluids coming from both ends I’m not going to go into details but it was like I wasn’t taking my methadone. I called my doctor after a horrible 9 days of withdrawals and pain from having 7 back surgeries he took my bottle ASC 116 and wrote me a new script and haven’t had a problem since so if your on a certain brand of Methadone make sure the doctor writes DAW.
Hi Jeffrey, I just gave a moment of my experience with methadone brand differences to Nancy above. My experience has been exactly the same as both of yours. Since June 2022 the Westward/Hikma brand which worked wonderfully for years was suddenly unavailable. I am suffering terribly ever since. Have been told by numerous pharmacies that we have no choice in choosing one generic over another even with DAW. I also contacted the pharmacy board here in California saying that the laws have changed which serve the dollar, not the patient and that I cannot request one generic brand over another. If a brand name choice, possibly. A true nightmare for me. Kudos to you and your doctor in making it work with DAW. You are likely not in California but still good to hear somewhere there is mercy. Any other thoughts, suggestions would appreciate.
Oh WOW Jeff!…..Ok, In the last 8-10 months or so Ive been dealing with SAME thing! Like your own, my bodies taken some trauma. “Fun” injuries, Many car accidents, one breaking 8 lumbar vertebrae. Prior lumbar disc issues in same stack well before breakage. Rt leg is 1 3/4 inches shorter than left leg-(Bad tib/fib fracture while doing a rapid growth phase as a teenager-lifetime Sciatic nerve issues as a result)- Been shot. Etc>Etc>Etc>…Loooong term med use as a result of chronic pain… -True LIFE saving medications really… -Ive taken nearly EVERY brand available, w/the 54-142’s working well. Roxanes 52-210 also work well. The Mallinckrodt rectangle’d ones working almost TOO WELL-(Get a bit too drowsy in comparison, but works excellent for nerve pain, as nerve pain is a hard one to treat with pain meds… -Last 8-10 months my local pharmacy switched to the ASC variety, I’d take my standard… Read more »
Thank you for validatingwhat I know but nobody will say anything about different manufacturers have different qualities. I will consider Mallinckrodt. Have to taken any other brands?
Nancy, I have gone through same issue with decreased effectiveness in other brands. Unfortunately, one cannot order a specific brand especially with regards to in suranné coverage. Competitiveness in market is not patient friendly. Hope your health improves where you will no longer need the drug methadone but will tell you it did save my life. My best to you.
I have chronic pain neck surgery knee surgeries scoliosis. I have neuropathy I was taking Suboxone to stop taking pain meds, but I can’t tolerate the pain anymore would it be good for me to go to a methadone clinic or seek pain management?
Seek pain management! I am currently on methadone because I have chronic regional pain syndrome due to having surgery on my foot just a routine surgery, and I haven’t been able to walk drive or do anything. I’m pretty much 85% bedridden and I’ve been on methadone for quite some time and it’s actually helping or taking the edge off of the pain, so I can tolerate it but it’s still painful.
For anyone that Is looking to use a methadone clinic for pain management you better not tell them that.. methadone clinics are for addicts ONLY. tell them ur an addict & Have a story because you will have to do intake. Tell them you have been addicted for years & they will drug test you. If you don’t have opiates in ur urine or mouth swab test you will not be admitted into the program. Just be aware b4 You try to get into the program.. you need to say ur an addict & have tried suboxene & don’t like it, say subutex doesn’t work either for you.. say you can’t make it the 24 hours to start taking it, which I can’t.. only Methadone has worked for me You are supposed to use a pain management specialist if it’s for pain & you are not an addict… but if… Read more »
Mike, methadone has really helped me as well. More and more clinics are popping up everywhere, and each has its own rules that people must follow, aside from the federal guidelines. At the clinic I go to, counselors work with people to accommodate scheduling issues. As long as someone has one hour of counseling per month it’s all good. Earning take homes at my clinic (In West Virginia) seems to be different as well. As long as someone meets all the requirements of the clinic (passing UA’s, attending groups, having a physical and getting blood work when needed) they can get their first take home in three months. Every three months after that they are eligible for one more bottle. We are allowed to get 13 bottles. During the Covid lock downs they gave us a month at a time. If someone wants to take a vacation and they don’t… Read more »
I must say that your story is absolutely amazing, as well as inspiring! As an addict myself for 23 years, I truly understand what we go through. It is hard to get clean and some think it’s impossible. But thanks to yours and everyone’s elses stories, one or many lives will be touched and even changed. Nothing is in vain.
Keep going forward!!!😀
GOD BLESS YOU! KEEP UP THE SOBER LIFE WITH THE DOCTORS DONE ITS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF ONE DAY AT A TIME! U HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO OFFER THIS WORLD U MUST REPENT AND ASK GOD FOR HELP PRAY TO JESUS AND U WILL SEE ,JUST SAY WHEN U R TEMPTED THESE R NOT MY THOUGHTS AND REBUKE THOSE THOUGHTS FROM THE DEVIL!! U WILL TRIUMPH OVER EVIL AND BE WHAT GOD MADE U TO BE ACHOSEN ONE! GOD BLESS U YOUR ON YOUR WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE!!
I would first seek a pain mgt physician, but if you don’t get the help you need I would go the clinic route. The clinic route is full of disadvantages, but If you are in severe chronic pain it’s definitely worth it. I am still working with my doctor to get the Metadose covered by Medicaid. My pain is very severe and there hadn’t been one second of one hour of one day of one of 15 years that I have been conscious and not in pain. I was in a car accident 17 years ago. Someone drove into my car doing 60 mph as I was at a dead stop in a line of cars at a red light. I shattered 7 vertebrae-4 in my neck and 3 in my lower back. In addition my seatbelt cut into me and I also had to have over 1/2 of my… Read more »
Heads up,clinics usually only prescribe methadone for opioid addiction,not pain,good luck to you
I understand what youre goin through Ann. Hang in there!…Isnt it kind’ve sad people seek MD Clinics for simple PAIN RELIEF today?!… -Although, considering the Co$ts, flaming hoops one must jump through & associated regulatory/liability requirements, usually w/over-run & understaffed pain clinics. A MD clinic can sometimes be an “easier” option, as in youre case, unlike 90% of people who attend clinics do so under court order. YES the lines/wait times & DAILY visits for dosings can be hell to work around depending upon ones schedule….-Heres the positive caveat to the aforementioned nagging bits…. -Seeing you’d pass all UA’s with flying colors repeatedly, you’d prob get to a position as to carries/take-homes fairly rapidly!….If urine is clean for a month or more-(depending on clinic requirements, which vary from state to state)- Then you’d visit the clinic once per week w/6 or 7 take home doses. Ive heard some people getting… Read more »
P.S: I forgot one VERY important thing-As already written below in other comments, & its a rather SAD one indeed! -If choosing to visit a MD clinic, unfortunately youre gonna have >TO LIE FIRST< to gain admission to its hallowed halls, as if you were to say or write down in the application that you are there for pain management, they will 100% send you >>packing>>… By-And-Large, most MD clinics predominantly service the “Outlaw Brand” sub-set/sub-culture of American society, if you dont possess a pre-existing streak of that already, no matter how large or small that streak or simple dot may be, you might have to grow one temporarily-(My own stripe is rather pinkish in color & covers the entirety of my body;)- Although many of the more successful & interesting of our historical outlaws have in equal measure tended to be as fiercely honest as Swiss cheese holds water,… Read more »
And by the way, both those pills 54 142 and the 54 549 are both ten mg methadone tablets, just different brands. Misinformation about the mgs could be deadly.
You’re correct that 54 142 is 10mg generic methadone. However, the photo shows 54 162, which is 5mg strength Dolophine brand methadone. Your point is very important though – just one number on the imprint separates double the dosage! Always be sure you know what you’re taking.
Anyone see a difference in the efficacy of generic 10mg tabs.? ie. Ascend 116 10mg seem very weak . Thanks
Ascend is very weak. One of the worst I’ve tried since Hikma was no longer available at any pharmacy near me which worked well enough for me to function daily. Aurobindo brand helps a bit but am still primarily now home bound. Certainly disabled without Hikma brand. Very sad but good to hear validation from so many others as thus far little support from my doctors on this notion. Thank you.