Which opioid is listed as having a duration of 12-24 hours?

Which opioid is listed as having a duration of 12-24 hours?

• A. Heroin: 3-6 hours
• B. Hydromorphone: 3-6 hours
• C. Methadone: 12-24 hours
• D. Barbiturates: 1-16 hours

Answer: (C)

Understanding how long an opioid acts helps guide dosing and withdrawal management. Methadone has a long duration of action—about 12 to 24 hours—because of its long half-life and slower clearance. This means it stays active in the body for a full day, which is why it’s often used in maintenance therapy with once-daily dosing to prevent withdrawal and cravings. In comparison, heroin and hydromorphone provide effects for roughly 3–6 hours, leading to more frequent dosing to maintain relief and avoid withdrawal. Barbiturates, while sometimes listed in similar contexts, are a different class of CNS depressants and not opioids, so their duration patterns don’t follow the same 12–24 hour profile. So the opioid with a 12–24 hour duration is methadone.

Understanding how long an opioid acts helps guide dosing and withdrawal management. Methadone has a long duration of action—about 12 to 24 hours—because of its long half-life and slower clearance. This means it stays active in the body for a full day, which is why it’s often used in maintenance therapy with once-daily dosing to prevent withdrawal and cravings.

In comparison, heroin and hydromorphone provide effects for roughly 3–6 hours, leading to more frequent dosing to maintain relief and avoid withdrawal. Barbiturates, while sometimes listed in similar contexts, are a different class of CNS depressants and not opioids, so their duration patterns don’t follow the same 12–24 hour profile.

So the opioid with a 12–24 hour duration is methadone.