methadone

meth·a·done  (mth-dn)

n.

A potent synthetic narcotic drug, C₂₁H₂₇NO, that is less addictive than morphine or heroin and is used as a substitute for these drugs in addiction treatment programs. It may also be used for chronic pain management.

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[Short for methadone hydrochloride : (di)meth(yl) + a(mino) + d(iphenyl) + (heptan)one, a ketone (heptan(e) + -one).]

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methadone

Noun

a drug similar to morphine, sometimes prescribed as a heroin substitute [(di)meth(yl) + a(mino) + d(iphenyl) + -one, indicating a ketone]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

methadone - synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine but less habit-forming; used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addiction dolophine hydrochloride, methadon, methadone hydrochloride, synthetic heroin, fixer narcotic - a drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction