Clinical experience of baclofen in alcohol dependence: A chart review

If you have severe psychiatric disorders, seizure disorders, sphincter hypertonia, liver disease, or diabetes mellitus, take baclofen with extreme caution. Baclofen may also not be right for you if you are already receiving antihypertensive therapy. According to the Electronic Medicines Compendium, you should increase and decrease your dosage of baclofen gradually over time. The action of gradually increasing and decreasing your dosage of medications is called tapering.

• It modulates GABA receptors, leading to a reduction in nerve activity and muscle tone.
• It also enables people to receive individualized and personalized care and guidance.
• He was continuing for months but still there was no improvement.
• So he was prescribed with quetiapine 100 mg daily along with mirtazepine 15 mg, escitalopram 20 mg, lorazepam 2 mg, and baclofen 20 mg daily.
• So, whether you are suffering from addiction or you are struggling to maintain freedom from this disorder, we’re here to help.
• Baclofen toxicity can be difficult to identify as it can mimic other medical conditions such as other sedative-hypnotic drugs, opioids, or other central nervous system depressants.

Oral baclofen dosing for spasticity

For example, if allergic to baclofen, you could develop trouble breathing and/or swelling of your throat or tongue. Taking baclofen again after a severe allergic reaction could lead to death. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest not taking baclofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Despite its muscle relaxant properties and interaction with the CNS, the DEA does not consider baclofen to have any potential for abuse. Therefore, it is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act and is not under any schedule.

Spasticity

Therefore, except for serious adverse reactions, the dose should be reduced slowly when the drug is discontinued. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization.

• Because of this effect and the fact that it causes pleasant feelings when taken, it does have abuse potential.
• The brain and body begin to fight back when this source of dopamine is removed, resulting in baclofen withdrawal symptoms.
• Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects.
• Baclofen has pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing qualities that make it susceptible to abuse.
• If the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and oral baclofen is continued during pregnancy, gradually reduce the dose and discontinue baclofen before delivery.
• Another way people misuse baclofen is by mixing it with other substances to increase their feel-good effects.

Baclofen Side Effects

Oftentimes, people will combine baclofen with central nervous system depressants to increase its effects. Other substances that people often mix baclofen with to receive a high are opioids, alcohol, and amphetamines. Baclofen is great for helping people manage their withdrawals and dependence on substances such as alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and tobacco.

An Unusual Case of Baclofen Abuse

Thus, it is critically important to use the drug as prescribed. This is because the FDA requires the drug to pass several tests before it reaches the market. The journey from invention to market typically takes more than a decade.

Nonetheless, some individuals may encounter prolonged or fluctuating symptoms extending for weeks or even months post-medication cessation. In cases where users have developed an addiction to the medication, rehab centers are helpful. Various addiction treatment programs exist, making sure that each patient can successfully recover and stop drug abuse. Because you will go through an intense detox during your baclofen addiction treatment, it is wise to attend an inpatient or residential treatment program afterward. That way you can receive the 24/7 care that you’ll need to remain sober after treatment is done.

Reducing the release of neurotransmitters that increase electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord. Professional services and having a strong support network can be a good way to reduce the risk of relapse. It’s important baclofen dependence to remember that detoxification from a substance should be seen as the first step to recovery.

Baclofen Toxicity

As a rule, the more of the substance someone takes, the greater their withdrawal symptoms will be when they lower their dose or stop using. Baclofen can be addictive because of the way it affects the brain, relieves pain, and provokes pleasant feelings in users. Baclofen withdrawal is caused by the body building tolerance and becoming dependent on the substance. Once the user becomes dependent, the body will have difficulties adjusting when the dose is lowered or stopped. Essentially, the brain and body become dependent on baclofen to function. The symptoms of withdrawal can be similar in nature to those experienced with other drugs, particularly benzodiazepines or alcohol.

Unlike gabapentin, baclofen is not controlled throughout the US. Contact Zinnia Health and learn more about the detoxification programs we offer. We understand that not everyone is the same, so we always provide individualized treatment plans tailored to your needs. Medical detox provides users with the resources they need to be as comfortable as possible during withdrawal. Medical professionals will continually monitor vital signs and ensure the user is safe throughout withdrawal. Detoxing from baclofen can be very dangerous and should not be done without the right support.

Continue reading for more information about baclofen withdrawal and addiction. If you are currently dealing with the impact of addiction and you’re not sure how to overcome these challenges, you may benefit from our addiction treatment services. You may need to consider enrolling in an inpatient or residential program. In this type of treatment program, you will be able to live in a drug- and alcohol-free environment, away from any negative influences that may exist at home.

We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Although the number of cases with Baclofen abuse is growing, it is not on the list of controlled substances. Baclofen medication belongs to the group of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists, which are naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the brain.

While acute withdrawal symptoms may subside within one to two weeks for many individuals, some may experience lingering symptoms or fluctuations in symptoms for several weeks or even months. It’s essential to seek support from healthcare providers and engage in self-care practices to support recovery and gradually regain a sense of normalcy after Baclofen withdrawal. In addition to tapering, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to alleviate specific withdrawal symptoms. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to manage rebound muscle spasticity, while anti-anxiety medications can help alleviate feelings of anxiety or agitation. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers.