Baclofen: Uses, effects, interactions, and addiction

Some of the side effects can be exacerbated when the drug is taken in large amounts or in conjunction with other CNS depressants such as opioids and or alcohol. Once breathing is established, move them into a recovery position and wait for help to arrive. If your loved one appears unconscious and unresponsive, they could be suffering from a baclofen-induced coma. Otherwise known as low blood pressure, this can cause a person to become dizzy and faint.

• However, with a baclofen detox program, you are much more likely to succeed.
• Lioresal comes into play as a drug that allows clients not to feel the compulsion to take alcohol.
• Baclofen has been used to treat other stimulant addictions such as amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction as well as addiction to over-the-counter drugs that contain stimulants.
• The research results show that between 3 to 24 months, over 80% of patients that came in at high risk of alcoholism, reduced their risk to the low or moderate level.
• If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
• The FDA continues to monitor a drug’s safety years after the drug has reached the market.

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Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take Baclofen depend on the medical problem for which you are using Baclofen. Before you or your child’s doctors decide if intrathecal baclofen is right for you or your child, many specialists will thoroughly assess your child. You or your child may be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon, a neurosurgeon, different specialists, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. There’s not enough information to say that herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with baclofen.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Although the number of cases with Baclofen abuse is growing, it is not on the list of controlled substances. When Lioresal is abused, some common adverse health effects may be experienced, especially when dosage has been abruptly increased. In another study, researchers noted tapering off cravings for nicotine in a patient diagnosed with primary nicotine dependence who does not have any psychiatric disorder. The patient was prescribed to take Lioresal, which he eventually abused. Based on the report, the patient said he experienced an unusual sense of pleasure and well-being whenever he took Lioresal.

Can Baclofen Be Mixed With Other Substances?

• Taking Tramadol and Baclofen together to relieve pain can result in serious adverse effects for some individuals.
• Always seek medical attention when attempting to quit baclofen use after prolonged exposure.
• Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take Baclofen depend on the medical problem for which you are using Baclofen.
• Doses higher than 300 mg/day are useful clinically in alcoholics with mostly benign side effects.
• During treatment at an inpatient facility, addiction specialists will also check if you have other co-occurring mental illness.
• If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.
• Baclofen is a unique drug in that while someone can get addicted to it, it can also be used to treat other addictions.

After detox and rehab are over for baclofen treatment, many people need continued support to maintain a lifestyle of sobriety and prevent relapse. There are several different continuing care options for baclofen addiction, including sober living programs and aftercare programs. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers.

Other medications used for anxiety treatment may require increasing amounts to continue building tolerance and might become a problem in the long run. One of the main reasons a doctor can use Lioresal for alcohol use disorder is because it helps to reduce the compulsion to drink. Medical professionals have discovered that using it for alcohol cravings helps to stop drinking. It has been found to completely switch off the thirst for alcohol in patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction. Baclofen medication for alcoholism produces an instant effect. The patient can choose to stop taking alcohol or continue to drink after completing alcohol treatment.

Baclofen Side Effects –  Oral

There’s a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and you may have difficulty waking up. If baclofen tablets or liquid do not work well for baclofen addictive you or your child, you may be prescribed a baclofen injection. Baclofen can also be given through a pump that is fitted under the skin.

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The recommended adult dose for spasticity is 10 to 20 mg orally three to four times daily at evenly spaced intervals. In 2009, a cardiologist named Olivier Amiesen discovered that he was able to recover from his alcohol addiction thanks in large part to taking baclofen. It was after this discovery that researchers began to explore the possibilities of baclofen being used to help with addiction treatment. Although its ready availability and good tolerance can make it an effective smoking cessation aid, the same can increase its chances of being used as a drug of abuse. Due to baclofen’s therapeutic use, off-label use for addiction treatment, and high potential for addiction and abuse, there is a definitive possibility of a baclofen overdose. Long-term abuse of baclofen can also lead to the development of physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit or reduce use.

Family therapy helps to equip family units with the education and understanding they need throughout this time. An injectable form is also available, which is injected into the spinal cord by a medical professional. Brands in the US include Lioresal, Kemstro, Ozobax, and Gablofen.

Many people who have a co-occurring mental illness also take prescription medications. This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to dependence and addiction. Once you develop dependence or addiction to baclofen and you try to stop taking the medication, baclofen withdrawal symptoms arise.