Baclofen Addiction Non-Opioid Pain-Killer

A baclofen pump is a method of administering the drug directly into the spinal fluid of patients. A baclofen pump requires invasive surgery to use and is not recommended for all patients suffering from spasticity. Read our guide to find out more about baclofen pumps and intrathecal baclofen treatment. If treatment for baclofen overdoses is administered immediately then full recovery is often possible within 72 hours. If you’ve been looking for addiction treatment resources and services, allow us to help you.

Baclofen therapeutics, toxicity, and withdrawal: A narrative

• Interestingly during his hypomanic phase he never took alcohol which is most probably for taking baclofen which is an anti-craving drug for alcohol.
• Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects.
• Only a healthcare provider can give you the spinal injection form of baclofen.
• 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.
• As mentioned above, baclofen is a selective GABA-B receptor agonist.
• This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen.

Literature review and case study of a 36-year-old male with alcohol dependence with comorbid major depressive disorder was prescribed with tablet baclofen as an anti-craving agent along with antidepressant medicines. The patients who did not improve with conventional antidepressant therapy started feeling better in terms of his mood symptoms on taking tablet baclofen. Owing to the mood elevating property he started abusing baclofen. Despite its safety profile in hepatic impairment, one must be very cautious in prescribing baclofen because of its mood altering property which may account for its abuse potentiality. Baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog that activates the GABA-B receptor subtype, and is used worldwide in neurology for the treatment of spasticity due to its myorelaxant properties (1). While it is clearly established that the myorelaxant properties of baclofen are related to a dampening of the spinal motor reflex (13), its potential mechanism of action in AUD remains elusive.

Treatment for Baclofen Abuse

This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen. Minozzi et al.20 performed a Cochrane review of 12 randomized controlled trials toassess the efficacy and safety of baclofen for the treatment of AUD. Theauthors did not find any difference between baclofen and placebo andconcluded that the evidence regarding the use of baclofen as a first-linetreatment for AUD is uncertain. Conversely, a meta-analysis by Pierce et al.21 evaluated 13 randomized controlled trials and concluded that baclofenseems to be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence, especiallyamong heavy drinkers.

Baclofen is used to reduce cravings in alcohol abuse and heavy smoking. Some people may abuse it, as it causes euphoria and calming effects. Some people also abuse other prescription drugs such as sleeping pills and antidepressants to enhance the effects. Most importantly, its use in suicide attempts has soared in recent years.

Is Baclofen a Controlled Substance?

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• Owing to the mood elevating property he started abusing baclofen.
• Baclofen may also not be right for you if you are already receiving antihypertensive therapy.
• He acknowledged the lack of craving for nicotine when he came for review a week later.
• The patient was given the drug in the pill form and eventually abused it, a behavior which the researchers attributed to the mood-elevating properties of the medication.
• We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete.

Boxed warnings (or black box warnings) inform prescribers about the potentially fatal risks of a prescription drug. We describe a case of unusual presentation of baclofen dependence. If you have epilepsy, baclofen could make your seizures worse. Therefore, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not baclofen is safe for you to use. Some brand name versions of baclofen include Gablofen, Lioresal, and Kemstro.

Where Should an Overdose be Treated?

Don’t worry, we are in network with over 100 insurances nationwide. It is advisable to refrain from engaging in activities that require alertness or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery, until you understand how baclofen affects you individually. Sharing this medication with someone else, even if they have similar symptoms, should also be avoided for safety reasons. Correspondence between potential mechanisms, symptoms and neurobiological substrates. Like other narrative reviews, this review did not follow a specific set ofevidence-based criteria to select or evaluate the included references, potentiallyintroducing bias. In addition, the lack of rigid methodology in the selection andevaluation process prevents replicability.

Those who suffer baclofen addiction from substance use disorders should never attempt to end substance use without help. It’s both important and even necessary for individuals to seek assistance from others. This certainly remains true in cases of baclofen dependence and addiction. ” This is a valid question and a concern that recovery centers should certainly address.

That being said, it’s still important to use it exactly as prescribed to avoid any complications, especially with long-term use. Misuse is uncommon, but it’s always best to follow your doctor’s guidance to stay safe. Severe and persistent drowsiness is a direct result of central nervous system depression. As the body is sedated by excessive baclofen, it can become harder to stay awake. By clicking “Submit,” you certify that you have provided your legal name and phone number, agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy, and authorize California Behavioral Health.

Baclofen can be used intrathecally to treat conditions caused by spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and other spinal diseases. Baclofen is a drug which can cause serious harm to the patient if administered incorrectly, especially with intrathecal administration. Baclofen should not be prescribed with other tricyclic antidepressants, as the combination can cause depressed brain function and muscle weakness.