Which opioid is commonly recognized as a long-acting option?

Methadone is commonly recognized as a long-acting opioid due to its pharmacokinetic profile that allows for extended pain relief and a prolonged duration of action. It is metabolized slowly, which results in a longer half-life compared to many other opioids. This characteristic makes methadone suitable for managing chronic pain and for use in opioid dependence treatment, as it can help stabilize patients over an extended period with less frequent dosing.

In contrast, while options like oxycodone and hydrocodone are effective for pain relief, they typically have shorter durations of action, often requiring more frequent administration. Fentanyl, while potent and can be delivered in long-acting formulations (such as patches), is mostly recognized as a fast-acting analgesic in its immediate-release forms. Thus, methadone stands out among these choices for its designation as a long-acting opioid.