For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, our calls are confidential and are available for 24/7 help. Is a licensed and practicing pharmacist and medical writer who specializes in different substances, the effects of substance abuse, and substance use disorder. Edmund has an extensive background in addiction research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered.
Treatment for Baclofen Abuse
Tolerance can build quickly, and sudden discontinuation might lead to baclofen withdrawal symptoms like muscle stiffness and low blood pressure. Baclofen targets your central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. It reduces muscle tension and spasms by mimicking the calming effects of GABA, which can help people with conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. It has shown promise in clinical trials for treating alcohol and opioid addictions, though official FDA approval for addiction treatment is still pending. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) doesn’t currently endorse baclofen in routine clinical settings, mainly because long-term data on its effectiveness is limited.
What are the Common Baclofen Muscle Relaxant Side Effects?
Baclofen has been shown to cause abuse, dependence, and withdrawal. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that many other factors also contribute to addiction. These include a drug’s inherent ability to cause addiction, a person’s genetics, and environmental factors. Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects. Withdrawal from this drug can cause hallucinations, seizures, and even death. Some other common signs include dizziness, tremors, rebound spasticity, tachycardia, memory issues, disorientation, rebound pain (for example, injuries to the spinal cord), and sleep disturbances such as insomnia.
Find Baclofen Addiction Treatment Programs
When you start taking baclofen, you should do so in small doses at first and then gradually increase to larger doses. When you are stopping taking baclofen, do so in small increments over a period of 1-2 weeks. You might think treatment may not be necessary because baclofen abuse is not as dangerous as opioid addiction. However, treatment is essential to not only live a drug-free life but also to reduce the risk of overdose and death. Baclofen is the generic name for a muscle relaxant that is prescribed under the brand names Gablofen® and Lioresal®.
management of intrathecal baclofen withdrawal without intrathecal baclofen
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. Tolerance can drive individuals to take higher doses or use baclofen more frequently to baclofen dependence feel the effects they’re used to. That’s when physical dependence may start to form, leading to withdrawal symptoms if the drug is suddenly stopped. Once dependence sets in, it’s not a big leap to addiction—where the user feels they can’t quit, even though they know the drug is harming them.
- Baclofen was originally designed as a drug for the treatment of epilepsy.
- These withdrawal syndromes don’t overlap to the extent that baclofen withdrawal can be fixed by either alcohol or benzodiazepines.
- These include ondansetron,11,12 buspirone,13 fluoxetine, and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,14,15 topiramate,16 and baclofen.
- Although baclofen withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and distressing, they are often part of detoxing.
- Users may also show drug-seeking behaviors and search for the medication even at a great social and financial cost.
- In addition, the lack of rigid methodology in the selection andevaluation process prevents replicability.
It is important to understand how the medication affects individuals, including warnings about drowsiness and dizziness. Always follow the care team’s instructions and do not suddenly stop the medication to avoid severe reactions. Patients and their entourage need to be very aware of this issue so they can ensure that baclofen treatment is not abruptly stopped for any reason. As a trusted Georgia recovery center, we are dedicated to serving our clients through various alcohol and drug addiction programs. We have a firm belief that it is possible for YOU to achieve and sustain long-term recovery. Look for muscle weakness, vomiting, extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and slow or shallow breathing.
- If the patient has altered mental status, bedside blood glucose should be obtained.
- In severe withdrawal, your doctor may give a low dose of baclofen.
- Baclofen 20 mg and 30 mg sustained release capsules were provide free of cost by Sun Pharmaceuticals to many patients.
- At Hope Harbor Wellness, we believe everyone in Atlanta and beyond deserves comprehensive support.
- The net result is a reduction in thepostsynaptic motor neuron action potential, decreasing spasticity.
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug.
Clinical trials published in BMC Psychiatry have shown promising results in the use of baclofen for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. For example,elevations in serum creatinine kinase, potassium, and creatinine levels canalert clinicians to the development of rhabdomyolysis that can occur withbaclofen withdrawal syndrome. While evidence supports multiple medication options for AUD treatment, including baclofen, a larger body of higher-certainty evidence exists for FDA-approved medications like naltrexone and acamprosate. Treatment decisions should consider individual patient factors, medication characteristics, and setting-specific considerations. Expanding access to evidence-based treatments remains a critical public health priority.